Lilly May (nee Williamson) Toft

On Monday, March 25, 2024 Lilly May Toft passed away.  She was the loving and devoted wife for over 71 years of the late Vernon Toft.  Lilly was the mother of Robert Toft, Gary Toft (JoAnn), David Toft (Holly)  and the late Donna K. Hardesty (Donald).  She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Chris Toft (Heather), Mark Toft, Jeff Hardesty (Allison), Timothy Hardesty (Michelle), Laura Terziu (Jack), Gary Toft, Carol Toft, David Toft Jr. (Lauren) and Karen Toft; and 11 great-grandchildren Madison, Camryn, Luke, Sloane, Donna Rose, Annaliese, Lilia May, Gabriella, Seraphina, Aurora and Ocean; many other loving relatives and friends who will sorely miss her.

Lilly May Toft was born and raised in East Baltimore City (Highlandtown), Maryland. She married Vernon O. Toft on March 20th, 1943, and was married for over 71 years until Vernon’s passing in 2014. Lilly and Vernon made their home in Dundalk, where they raised four children. She lived in her Dundalk home for over 63 years until she could no longer live by herself. All felt loved and welcome in her home. 

She loved all holidays, especially Christmas. Her home was the family's gathering spot for her annual Christmas Eve party, and it was her night to shine. She would also handwrite personal notes in the many Christmas cards she faithfully sent out every year.  She loved decorating, shopping, cooking, and gift-giving. Her favorite hobby was gardening from which she gained much joy.

Because of her love for flowers, she nurtured a beautiful garden in her back yard including an expansive rose garden of over 20 bushes. On many occasions, her dining room table hosted a fresh display of multi-colored roses freshly picked from her rose garden. Vernon built an arbor at the home's side entrance with a sign that read "Lilly's Garden".

One of the most hilarious episodes in her life happened during a crabbing adventure off Miller’s Island, MD. Vernon (who served in WWII in the Navy with tour duty on a minesweeper in the Mediterranean) rented a rowboat with Lilly and their youngest son. They rowed out into the bay with the hopes of bringing back a bushel of crabs.

After being out on the choppy water for a while, Vernon and their son became severely seasick, so that they both had to lie down in the boat. They would take turns sitting up only long enough to net the crabs and quickly lay back down again. Vernon was too sick to even row the boat, so Lilly was given the task of rowing the long way back to shore by herself. Upon reaching the shore, people on a pier nearby laughed with glee at the most hysterical scene before them.

Lilly's greatest treasures were her family, her relatives and children. Through the years she held special bonds with her many relatives, cousins, distant cousins, aunts, uncles, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Many family members were personally touched by Lilly's genuine warmness, kindness, and generosity towards those she dearly loved. 

A viewing will be held at Connelly Funeral Home of Essex, 300 Mace Ave, Baltimore MD 21221 on Monday, April 1st from 2 - 4pm and 6 - 8pm. A funeral service will take place Tuesday, April 2nd at 11am, followed by burial at Meadowridge Memorial Park.

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