Lilian B. Hempel

Lilian (Bjorck) Hempel, 94 passed away March 1, 2018. Born in Stockholm, Sweden in 1923, she was the daughter of the late Jon and Maria Bjorck.

She attended school all the way through college in Sweden. She then went on to Iowa State University, where she obtained her Master’s Degree in Science/Nutrition. Upon returning to Sweden, she worked for the Public Health Institute, and was the author of 2 books on Popular Nutrition. She had also attended London University, where she had several articles published. After several years she moved to Thailand to work for the Food and Agriculture Department at the United Nations. This is where she meet her husband of 56 years, Gilbert. They married in her home country of Sweden.

After her husband was reassigned back to the United States, they lived in Bangor, Maine; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fairbanks, Alaska; and Stanford, Connecticut. They finally settled down in her husband’s home town of East Greenwich, Rhode Island.

Lilian has traveled the world, from Egypt to South Africa to Germany to Russia to Italy, enjoying all the wonderful memories.

Lilian was a member of the American Association of University Women and the League of Women Voters.

She is survived by her sons, Eric and Gunner and daughter Lisa, 8 grandchildren; Noelle, Chashtin, Melanie, Alison, Kirsten, Caleb, Nathaniel and Jackson and great grandchildren; Rustin, Ada Lyn and Olivia Mae.

The family would also like to thank all the women who took care of Lilian and Gil in their last years; Donna, Angel, Mary, Cathy and Yovonne.

Upon Lilian’s request, she has asked that everyone do a kind thing for one another, in her memory.

Graveside service will be held on Saturday March 10 ^th at 11:00 am in East Greenwich Cemetery. Calling hours: Friday March 9 ^th from 6-8 pm at the Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main St., East Greenwich. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the East Greenwich Animal Protection League.