Lillian S. Denison

NORWAY – Lillian S. Denison of Norway passed away peacefully on Aug. 3, 2021, at Stephens Memorial Hospital after a short illness. “Liz” was born on Jan. 21, 1927, in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of Lewis and Beryl Staples Sawyer. After graduating from high school, she attended Eastern Maine General Hospital School of Nursing in Bangor and became a registered nurse in 1947. After becoming an RN, Liz worked at Central Maine General Hospital in Lewiston and then enlisted in the Army Nursing Corps, serving in hospitals at Fort Sam Houston, Texas and Fort Campbell, Kentucky during the Korean War, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. In the 1960s, she liked to tell people that while at Fort Campbell, she once took the last train to Clarksville. While in nursing school, she went on a blind date with Richard Denison of Norway and six years later, they eloped. After marriage, they settled in Norway, where Dick was an officer of Norway National Bank. Liz continued her career and was one of the founding nurses of Stephens Memorial Hospital. Liz devoted herself to her three children, Rick, Sue and Tom, but also found time for private duty nursing and civic activities. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, assisted the school nurse with vaccination clinics, and served different positions with the Red Cross starting in the early 1960s. In the 1980s and 1990s, Liz conducted a long-running, free weekly blood pressure clinic and became known as The Blood Pressure Lady of Norway. She also looked after her children’s many pets, including a parrot, chameleons, rabbits, guinea pigs and dogs. She had exceptional patience.Liz was predeceased by her parents, her brothers and sisters and her husband of 54 years. She is survived by her three children, Richard Jr. and his wife Adriana of Leon, Mexico; Susan of Norway; Thomas of Bryant Pond; and grandson Benjamin and his partner Emily Johnson of Lisbon.The family offers their sincere thanks to the exceptional staff at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris and at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway.A graveside service will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Norway at 1:00 pm on August 21. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 45 Main Street, South Paris. Online condolences may be shared with her family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com .In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Maine Veterans’ Home Activity Fund,477 High Street,South Paris, ME 04281,or to the charityof your choice.