Resident Profile

“What I enjoy most in life is being exposed to something new,” Lillian Bengtz said. And her life has proven this statement true.

Born Lillian Erickson, on August 11, 1908, in Malden, Mass., she was the oldest of three children. After graduating from Malden High School, she went to work for an attorney for 18 years. He greatly influenced her with his constant quest for knowledge and accuracy.

She then married Ture Bengtz, who was originally from Finland. They lived in Melrose Highlands before moving to Duxbury. This is where they raised their daughter Lanci. One of their favorite things to do as a family was to summer in the Berkshires.

The family also spent time traveling to Florence where Ture studied art, Lillian took various courses, and their daughter attended private school. They also traveled through Greece, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, England and the Scandinavian countries. They even went to the Arctic Circle!

Later in their lives, the couple worked together at developing the Duxbury Art Complex from its inception. Lillian took the title as Associate Director after Ture's death and continued this for 10 years. Some of his works still adorn the hall of the complex.

Lillian has felt that her major achievement was her partnership with her husband. Her special interests are reading, playing the piano and her appreciation of art.

She has two grandsons, Thomas and Eric.

She has lived in Allerton House since April 1998.