July 9, 2021
Pilling, Alice J.
November 29, 1925 – July 6, 2021
Alice Joan (Coleman) Pilling, a resident of Stoughton, MA, died Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at the Southeast Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center in North Easton, MA. She was 95. Alice was born on November 29, 1925 the daughter of Ernest Howard Coleman and Cora Morton Coleman in Norwood, MA. She was joined by brother John Thomas Coleman born nine years later. Alice grew up in the Coleman family home in East Walpole, MA through the Depression and into World War II. She graduated from Walpole High School in 1943 and briefly attended Boston University before working at Camp Edwards for the Army. At the War‘s end she started a 12 year secretarial career at the Boston American Red Cross followed by 2 years employment at Boston University.
In 1959 Alice married Grant Pilling. Susan Alice Pilling was born to Alice in 1960 and was raised in their Dedham, MA home. Susan soon became the delight of her grandfather Ernest. Ernest was a significant support for Alice especially getting her established in her Dedham home. It was a great loss to Alice when he died at the end of 1961.
Alice always loved to knit. She knitted many beautiful sweaters, hats and mittens for Susan, her nephews, and her grand nieces and nephews. She also took the time in Dedham to help teach at a neighbor’s home preschool.
Susan graduated from high school in 1979 and married Brad Christiansen in 1980. Alice and Grant separated the next year and Alice moved back to live with and care for her mother until Cora died at the East Walpole Coleman home in 1982. Alice moved to her home in Stoughton, MA in 1987 where she lived alone until she was hospitalized in April, 2021. Alice was a long time inventory clerk for Bradlee’s Department Store until 1992 when Susan was hospitalized in a coma after a fall. Susan remained in a coma for 5 years until she died in 1997. Alice visited Susan every day for the full five years. Brad was a constant support for Alice since the beginning of Susan’s confinement, but especially for the last few years when Alice became more physically challenged.
Alice is survived by her son-in-law Brad Christiansen of East Walpole, and her brother John Coleman and his partner Sharon Enga of Seattle, WA, as well as three Coleman nephews Ed and his wife Carol, Don and his wife Sunny, and Jeff and his wife Lisa and their families.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Alice’s graveside service Tuesday, July 20th at 10 am at the East Walpole Cemetery on Pleasant Street in East Walpole. She will be laid to rest near her Mother and Father and Susan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241.