To the Editor:
I write this letter with a very heavy heart and tremendous sadness. A dear friend, Lillian Kellman, passed away today [Monday]. She has left a legacy that cannot ever be matched. Her beautiful smile, the twinkle in her eyes, and her jaunty walk are things that I will greatly miss. She was an amazing woman, so talented, confident, curious, kind, and always giving to others.
Lillian volunteered in our K/1 classroom for over 20 years. Weekly, the Chilmark School was blessed by her presence in class, and at many other school traditions as well.
Each Friday she would arrive in her splendid manner, and the children would all cheer and say, “Lillian’s here; hi Lillian!” Then the excited children would all race to the rug, set up her chair, and anxiously wait for her to begin to share her amazing stories from around the world. Her stories were so important in bringing the larger world to a level the children could understand. Her shared stories from many lands brought a brightness and understanding of so many other cultures.
The children would be totally absorbed and spellbound by her soothing voice, her delivery, and the compassion with which she told her tales. For 45 minutes there would not be a sound. The only movement in the room was the changing facial features of the children, responding to the characters that Lillian was so deliciously painting with words. As the years progressed, the children, of course, had their favorites, and would beg Lillian to please retell them again and again.
Today many, many people have stories in their minds and warm feelings in their hearts because of this beautiful woman. Thank you, Lillian. You started us all off with a love of good literature, taught us to listen to others and to think of different cultures as presents — ones that make our world a more vibrant, diverse, and exciting place to be.
Lillian gave us all, so many generations, this lasting gift, the ability to listen and imagine.
With love and admiration and so much more.
Robin Smith
Chilmark School
Robin Smith is a K/1 teacher at the Chilmark School, where she has worked for 27 years.
