Lillian Dinklage


Lillian Brandon Dinklage passed away peacefully in the morning of May 19, 2022 at the age of 84. Lillian was born in York, South Carolina (10/31/1937), the 4th of 7 children born to Lillian Robinson and Isaac Lonnie Brandon. She was valedictorian of her high school and graduated from Meredith, a local women’s college. During her application to the Harvard School of Education, where she obtained her doctorate, the interviewer stated that he had never heard of Meredith. Lillian, always known for speaking her mind, replied, “Don’t be embarrassed sir, most of us have never heard of Harvard.” She went on to have a long successful career as a school psychologist in the Lexington Public Schools.

Lillian married Kenneth Dinklage in 1967 and they were inseparable until his death in 2018. She became the stepmother (the “wicked good stepmother”, as she liked to say in Boston vernacular) to Kenneth’s two children, Sarah and David. In 1969 they welcomed Joshua into the world, their only child together. A dedicated wife, mother, and professional, Lillian was an excellent cook, always had a house of thriving plants, did the NYT crossword puzzle in pen, was a very skilled and competitive card player, and was ready for a debate at dinner on almost any subject. While she lived most of her adult life in Belmont, Massachusetts she never lost her southern grace and sensibilities. Lillian retained her cognitive faculties and elegance to the end while proudly enduring multiple physical problems. She had the intuition to speak with each of her three children the day before she lost consciousness, to express her love and say goodbye. This was a parting gift, greatly appreciated.

Lillian is survived and missed by two of her siblings, Isaac Leon Brandon and Susan Brandon Adkins, her son Joshua, his partner Tracy Bakalar, and their daughter Dory; step-daughter Sarah, her husband Kevin Plummer, and their children, Benjamin, Gabriel, and Rachel; step-son David, his partner Dominique Stassart, his two sons, Jacob and Jesse, and her two daughters, Eleni and Clio; Julie Puncochar, the mother of Jacob and Jesse, Jesse’s daughter Annabelle, Lillian’s first great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. 

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5 Condolences

  1. John Fiore on May 26, 2022 at 12:20 pm

    Lillian and Kenneth were there at the beginning of my very first friendship which was Josh going back all the way to before 1st grade at Belmont Day School (a friendship that continues to this day). Lillian was always very kind to me – and to my sisters who baby sat for Josh on occasion. She was always calm and pleasant – even when we were getting ourselves into trouble which was not a rare occasion. She was a major part of my early childhood and I will always remember her very fondly. My whole family wishes to give their condolences including my father, Joe, who is 88 years old. Rest In Peace Mrs. Dinklage and thank you for being such a great part of my developmental years!



  2. Nancy Fiore on May 26, 2022 at 5:56 pm

    Hello,
    My name is Nancy Fiore (John’s older sister). When I turned 15 years old and was a freshman at “The Winsor School for Girls” near Fenway Park in Boston, and also a resident of Belmont,Mass., Lillian Dinklage approached me and asked if I would be interested in babysitting for her young son Josh. I gladly accepted and was able to walk over to their home in Belmont,Mass. which was just a stones through from my home in Belmont,Mass. Josh was a very easy child to care for and Ken Dinklage would always drive me home when he and Lillian return home from their engagements. I remember them both as very kind,caring, people and I wish them both peace and tranquility in their journey home…My Condolences, Sincerely,
    Nancy B. Fiore



  3. Adrienne Dingee Tybjerg on June 13, 2022 at 6:45 pm

    So sorry to happen upon this, as I am updating a memorial message for a friend. Ken and Lillian Dinklage were good friends and a colleague to my dad, Alex Dingee, who has now passed as well. They were delightful and taught so much. My dad had many great memories of them, and Ken’s teachings passed well beyond him and Lillian to us as well. Our condolences and love to the family.



  4. Mary Barrett Webb, July 9, 2022 on July 9, 2022 at 9:35 am

    Lillian came into my life in 1967 when she and Ken were married, and they became my neighbors in Belmont MA.
    Soon my then husband and I joined the Dinklages in a play-reading group formed by several young couples who loved theater and wanted to try our talents at performing some of our favorite works in the safety of our living rooms. We enjoyed a potluck supper, and wine flowed freely as we warmed up to read the play after the meal. This group was an essential part of all our lives even as moves, divorce and death began to take their tolls. We added new members as needed, but remnants of the core have stayed in touch.
    Everything said about Lillian in the wonderful obituary published above rings true to me. I valued her intelligence, her southern hospitality, her combativeness in argument and in games, and the enduring warmth and kindness she brought to our friendship.
    For me she is irreplaceable.



  5. Nita Argyres on March 25, 2023 at 12:40 pm

    I am deeply saddened to learn of Lillian’s death. I had been trying to reach her to chat to no avail for months. She was a dear friend and colleague for years in the Lexington school system as we both started in 1974. After retirement we met monthly for lunch or dinner. I always enjoyed her wit and outspokenness, as well as valuable insights into children’s functioning during hours of meetings.
    My husband, Petros, joins me in extending our sincere condolences to her extended, loving family on the loss of Lillian who always spoke with such great warmth and love about them.



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