Lilla Safford Willey passed away on September 3, 2021 at the age of 101, surrounded by her family and within her beloved community of Thetford, VT. She was born Feb.8, 1920, daughter of Henry Safford and Lilla Agard, in New York City. Lilla graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy, Class of 1937. She attended Smith College and then transferred to Adelphi University, where she studied interpretive dancing with Ruth St Denis, Martha Graham and Jack Cole and performed in a dance troupe in New York City. She graduated in 1942 with a degree in English, and with a lifelong love of dance and movement. She was married to Chauncey Dewitt Willey, whom she met while they were both working at the Sperry Company in New York City as part of the war effort. They wed in 1943 and were married for 56 years until Chauncey's death in 1999. Chauncey and Lilla were beckoned by friends to move to Vermont in 1948, settling in Thetford, VT, where they raised their four children Lilla found happiness being active in the Community as a member of the Thetford Historical Society; a lifelong member of the Thetford Congregational Church serving in many positions, including the choir, Ladies Benevolent, Deacon, Calling and Caring; and an active member of the Hillside Cemetery Association. Her love for singing and acting brought her to many organizations as a member: Thetford Chamber Singers; Shape-note singers; VA Hospice Choir. She was a founding member of the Parish Players, Thetford, VT. Lilla taught typing at Thetford Academy, was a secretary at Dartmouth College Admissions Office and then in 1961 began a career as a Social Worker at the Vermont Department of Social Services where she retired in 1986. She was a Kids on the Block Puppeteer (a program using child-sized puppets to teach children acceptance and understanding of differences and disabilities, using honesty, humor and conversation). Lilla taught clogging workshops with Strafford 4-H Club, and taught in the Ford Sayre Ski Program. Lilla enjoyed travel, the outdoors, hiking, sailing, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, canoeing, swimming in the Pompy, and visiting the ocean every Labor Day weekend with her extended family and close friends. Lilla loved to laugh and she loved people - her family, friends, community and the strong vibrant community of the Thetford Hill Congregational Church. She was a wonderful listener, non-judgmental, compassionate and caring. Lilla is survived by her four children: Wain Willey, Meredith Kendall (Ray), Peggy Willey (John) and Lilla Barrett (Ted); her grandchildren: David and Kristin Willey; Rachel and Jesse Kendall; Hannah and Merry Fogg; Matt, Erin, Jacqui and Christian Barrett; 11 Great Grandchildren; and beloved Safford family. In consideration of the reemergence of the Covid virus, a service and burial will be limited to family members. Friends and admirers of Lilla are invited to express their sympathy and memories at https://www.boardwayandcilley.com. A Zoom link for the service this Saturday at 2pm will be available by Wednesday on the Home Page at http://thetfordhillchurch.org . A video recording may be posted at a later date. In lieu of cards and flowers, you may wish to make a donation to Thetford Hill Congregational Church, PO Box 69, Thetford, VT 05074; Visiting Nurse and Hospice for VT