Lillian Anna (Fair) Todd was born on August 12, 1930, in Bloomington, CA: the 4th of six children of James Clarence and Verdie Mae (Osborne) Fair. Lillian grew up in the orange grove where her father was caretaker. The family moved to Trona, CA in 1947 and she graduated from Trona High School in 1948. Lillian then earned an AA in Business at San Bernardino Valley College. She was an excellent typist – 100 WPM!
Lillian met Robert Madison Todd (“Todd”), the love of her life, in Trona where he was her high school sweetheart. Todd joined the US Marine Corps in 1950 to serve during the Korean War. They married in 1951. Their son, Jeffrey Madison Todd, was born in 1953. Both Todd and Jeff passed away prior to Lillian.
After the Korean War, the Todd family settled in Riverside. They enjoyed an active social life along with sports including swimming and skiing. Jeff was born with diabetes, and Lillian was a pioneer in finding ways to provide a “normal” life for him (diabetes care was more challenging then). She did a great job! Todd worked for Bourns Electronics in Riverside and later in their Hong Kong office. Todd and Lillian traveled extensively in Asia and elsewhere. Jeff pursued his love of skiing and music, and after college became a ski instructor at Mammoth Mountain. In 1986, Jeff’s diabetes had caused his kidney function to decline to a point where he needed a transplant. Lillian flew back from Hong Kong and donated a life-saving kidney to him: an action that was credited with extending Jeff’s life by more than a decade.
After Todd’s retirement, he and Lillian lived in Paradise, near Bishop, then relocated back to Riverside in 2014, where Todd passed. Lillian moved to San Diego in 2024 and passed away peacefully on May 3.
Lillian is remembered as a vibrant, social, caring, witty and very fun woman. She loved animals and the outdoors. She was a great hostess and the life of the party. She loved her “titty pink” Porsche and always had Andre Extra Dry Brut for any occasion. Above all else, Lillian was a devoted wife and mother, and a great friend. CHEERS to Lillian for a life well lived!
Lillian will be interred at Riverside National Cemetery to join her husband. Donations in her memory can be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.
