Lilian T Russo

Lily Teresita Seage died peacefully on Monday, March 21 at the age of 62 surrounded by her close family in Great Falls, Montana. She is survived by her mother Lilia (Balboa) Seage, her brother Manuel (Anita) Seage, her two daughters Leslie (Chad) Reihm and Stephanie (David) Darna, and her grandchildren, 8-year-old Aiden and 7-year-old Zoey. She is preceded in death by her father, Manuel Seage.

Lily was born in Havana, Cuba, on November 2, 1959, the year of the revolution. Her young parents made the difficult choice like many others to flee the island and seek safety in Miami where they settled together with Lily's grandmother, Mercedes Dolores (Rodriguez) Seage, who was an important figure in her life. Soon after, Lily's younger brother "Manny" was born. Lily grew up in a changing Miami. She navigated two worlds: English or Spanglish with her friends at school and Spanish at home. She attended St. Michael's Catholic School, La Salle High School on Miami's bay, and received her Associate's degree from Miami Dade College. Lily worked until retirement in medical administration where she cultivated a loving network of friends. 

Lily's grace and beauty were disarming. However, her kindness, selflessness and humility are what resonated with anyone who knew her. She loved spending time with her Miami family, including her brother, nephews and their children, and together with her mother, she cared for her father until he passed in 2019. She was a gifted painter and had a great sense of style, reflected in the thoughtfully crafted mementos she gave to those she loved. She passed on to her daughters these traits, and raised two strong young women who felt secure in her love to forge their own paths. 

Lily was quick to jet off cross-country wherever her daughters were settled – she followed the Reihm family’s journey through Baltimore, Savannah, Salt Lake City & Great Falls. In New York City and upstate NY Lily loved spending weekends shopping, eating out, and exploring with Stephy, David and Dino, their dog. During the pandemic, Lily moved to Great Falls where she spent every day with her grandkids, Aiden & Zoey. She listened to their stories, welcomed their individuality, and loved them fiercely. A Miamian, Lily braved below zero temperatures during Montana's winters, enjoying drives through Glacier National Park, and warming up with a cup of hot chocolate. 

Hearing-impaired from the age of 2, Lily had a life-changing cochlear implant in 2015, when she was finally able to hear “running sink water,” “bird sounds on TV," and “rain on the windows,” as she noted in her hearing journal. During the last six years as her battle with breast cancer progressed, she remained resilient and optimistic. Her journal notes, such as the one below, reveal her inner strength.  

"I am too positive to be doubtful. Too optimistic to be fearful, and too determined to be defeated. (...) I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night."

A mass will be held at the Church of the Little Flower in Coral Gables, FL on Monday, April 4, 2022 at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow at 1411 Coral Way, Coral Gables, FL through to 6:00 PM.

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