Lucille Miriam Baylis Yeatman passed away peacefully on May 7, 2022 after a short illness. Lucille was born on June 30, 1933 to George and Edith Baylis.
Lucille was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. A kind, caring and compassionate Christian, Lucille devoted her life to her family. Her joy-filled passion for life; her generosity of time and talent; her strength and graciousness; deep faith; unconditional love; infectious laughter and quick wit are a legacy she’s gifted to her five children and 11 grandchildren who admire her as a role model of living life to the fullest.
A life-long resident of Wilmington, Lucille graduated from P.S. duPont High School in 1951 and earned her bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Finance from Bucknell University in 1955. She was a member of Delta Zeta sorority where she was known to all as “Lu.”
Lucille began her career working for the Hercules Powder Company.She married her junior high school sweetheart, Robert H. Yeatman, Sr.Prior to Bob’s death in 2004, they shared 48 years of marriage in their dream home they designed and built in Surrey Park. Together, they raised Debra Yeatman of Wilmington; Barbara Johnson (Mike) of Wilmington; Karen Browne (Timothy) of Wilmington; Robert H. Yeatman Jr. (Denise) of Kinnelon, N.J.; and Judy Logue (Brian) of Abingdon, MD.
Lucille’s pride and joy were her children and grandchildren who called her MomMom–Katie Reynolds (Ed), Andrew and Abby Siple, Bec Gorsuch (Ryan), Zach Johnson, Alexandra Malet (Dan), Hannah and Adam Browne (Tara), Emma Yeatman and Nicholas and Emily Logue. Lucille was also known as Aunt Lucy to many nieces and nephews.
Lucille lovingly devoted countless hours to her children/grandchildren’s’ activities – nine years as Girl Scout Leader, Sunday School teacher, and #1 fan and cheerleader. She never missed a school concert, musical, after-prom, or sports game followed by ice cream treats at Howard Johnson’s.
Lucille loved the beach from her earliest days, spending summers at Rehoboth Beach growing up. Toes in the sand in Ocean City (NJ), the Outer Banks and Bethany Beach are some of the best times of her life. Lucille enjoyed traveling throughout the US. Whether a peace-filled road trip to the mountains with Bob or everyone loaded up in the family station wagon pulling the camper – there was joy and fun around every corner.
Known for her grand-style hospitality, Lucille made every holiday and gathering in her home a special occasion. From church socials, bridge parties, open houses, sleepovers and neighborhood carnivals, Lucille’s home was always decorated to the nines and full of great times. And her annual Christmas cookie baking that started with her grandmother, is still a time-honored tradition not to miss.
A life-long member of Peninsula-McCabe United Methodist Church, Lucille’s faith was steadfast as she joyfully served on committees and in mission work for 60+ years. Lucille recently moved her membership to Aldersgate United Methodist Church to join her children.
Lucille gave her time and talents to Chapter A-B of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a service organization supporting women she shared with her daughters and daughter-in-law.
Some of Lucille’s other interests include: working alongside Bob in support of his real estate business, serving on the Wilmington Flower Market board, going to the DuPont Theater as a season-ticket holder, watching Lawrence Welk with her son, organizing high school reunions, and talking on the phone for hours with her girlfriends – some from kindergarten.
Lucille returned to work outside of the home after raising her children. Helping others is what Lucille did best. As Director of Marketing and Sales for the Marriott Corporation’s Foulk Manor North Retirement Community in Wilmington for a decade, she loved helping people settle into their new home. Lucille returned to Foulk Manor in 2021 as a resident. Her family is eternally grateful for the loving care she received from the staff, some of whom had been work colleagues with her three decades earlier.
Lucille was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Charlotte Koffenberger Rexon.
A Celebration of Lucille’s Life will be held on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE19803. Her service will also be livestreamed on AldersgateDe Facebook or YouTube channel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Lucille Yeatman to the ChristianaCare Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute.https://christianacare.org/donors/and select “Make a gift,” or to the P.E.O. Sisterhood at www.donations.peointernational.org
The livestream of the private service on Sunday, May 15th at 2:00 p.m. can be viewed here: https://my.gather.app/remember/lucille-yeatman
