Etta Mae Tilford

Etta Mae Tilford, age 95, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on December 18, 2015. Born in Boston and raised in Portland, Maine, she was the daughter of the late Clifford and Elizabeth (Dyer) Yorke.
Etta lived most of her life in Everett, MA where she raised her family and then relocated to Evanston, IL. In the late 1970s Etta returned to the Boston area to be closer to her family. She was a highly skilled seamstress, weaver and potter. Etta was happiest when volunteering or helping those in need, and she was a former member of the Green Street Baptist Church in Melrose. Her family lovingly called her Etta Mae and chuckled at her quick response, “And, Etta Mae not.”
Etta is survived by her daughters, Carolyn E. Lassiter and husband Paul of Melrose, and Deborah A. Tilford-Allen of Milton. Her son Eugene C. Kennedy, Jr. of Marshfield predeceased her. Etta was the cherished Nana of Jennifer Lassiter, Gregory Lassiter, Melissa Williamson, Brandon Tilford, Christopher Allen, Jeffery Kennedy and Eugene Kennedy III and the loving great-Nana of Aaron Welch, Jourdan and Sean Lassiter and Noah Williamson. Etta is also survived by her sister, Eleanor Meservey, of Chicago and niece, Marilyn Yorke-Kourinos, of Falmouth, Maine as well as many other nieces and nephews. Etta was the sister of the late Richard Yorke who passed back in 1937. Etta also leaves her beloved cat Jeffrey.
A memorial gathering of relatives and friends will be held Wednesday, December 23rd, from 11am- 12 noon at Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home, 4 Common St., Stoneham.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Etta may be made to Mystic Valley Elder Services, 300 Commercial St., Suite 19, Malden, MA 02148.