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Miss Lilian Brand came to Longstanton with her family in 1936 and found  work at Chivers in Histon.But when her father took over the shop close to the Over road there was enough work at home for her and her elder brother.Lilian worked in the business until  it was sold in 1969,but during this time she helped care for her parents who had become frail through age and illness.Lilian's last place of employment was at Addenbrookes Hospital where she worked in the Artificial Limb department,and there are people around today who she helped to get mobile again.She retired in 1982 and this gave her more time to spend with family and to expand her interest in other things,especially in flower arrangeing.

    Because of Lilian's death the Bethel Baptist Church have lost a much loved and respected member.She joined the Church soon after arriving in Longstanton and became an active member of the Young Peoples Fellowship,but it was not long before her talent at the organ began to be made use of and by the early 1950's she was recognised as the official organist,a position she retained for over forty years.Lilian became a byword for her reliability,puncuality and her desire to do things properly.She displayed grace and humour as in later years she began to encourage others to play, realising that one day she would no longer be able to.

    In the mid 1970's Lilian was one of the first women to be elected to serve on the deaconate,which she did for a number of years,also maintaining her rolls on the Catering Committee,in the Women's Meeting and in flower arrangeing.

    Her later years were marred by illness which she bore with stoicism and grace,never losing the twinkle in her eye and the smile that has meant so much to so many over the years.With her passing a life of service to God and others has ended.