Lila C. MacDonald

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Lila C. MacDonald, age 80, on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, after a brief illness. She was born in New Britain, CT, and was the daughter of Sophie and Charles Curtis. She attended New Britain High School and graduated from the Hartford Hospital School of Nursing, pursuing her passion for helping others as a registered nurse. She touched the lives of many through her work at New Britain General Hospital, Southington Care Center, and Brittany Farms, where she served as a nursing supervisor. A strong advocate for her patients, she extended her devotion to others by creating the MOMS program to assist young mothers on their journey through motherhood.

A deeply family-oriented woman, Lila took great pleasure in hosting family dinners, often on a daily basis. Her homemade clam chowder, lobster casserole, and chocolate lava cake were all-time favorites. She always fulfilled requests for her frosted holiday sugar cookies and mini cheesecakes. Lila loved decorating for the holidays—colored Easter eggs and Christmas lights always adorned the trees—and she even transformed her guest bedroom into a decorated beach oasis for her grandchildren. She also insisted on hand-making intricate Halloween costumes for the children. Lila cherished annual Cape Cod trips to The Soundings in Dennisport, MA with her family. She also enjoyed her time in the 9-Holers Club playing golf at Shuttle Meadow Country Club and was active in the Junior League of New Britain.

Lila was known for her compassion, patience, and kind heart. She was the mom who stroked your forehead and sang to you when you had a fever. She was the grandmother who cherished time with you while doing your favorite activities. She was the godmother who went out to lunch with you and shared long phone conversations late into the night. She was the wife who filled her home with love.

In addition to her beloved husband, Paul, of 58 years, she is survived by and will be dearly missed by her loving children: Deborah Santoro of Berlin, CT, and her husband, Rick; Gary MacDonald of Apollo Beach, FL, and his wife, Michelle; and her five grandchildren, Amanda Santoro of Richmond, VA; Matthew Santoro of Berlin, CT; and Brett, Jake, and Presley MacDonald of Apollo Beach, FL. She also leaves her devoted goddaughter, Lisa Martin of Southington, CT, and her sons, Joey and Kyle. She was predeceased by her cherished sister, Linda Hill of Southington, CT.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026 at 12 PM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home of Berlin, 111 Chamberlain Hwy., Kensington. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Friday from 10 AM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please share a memory of Lila with the family in the online guestbook at www.ericksonhansenberlin.com