Lilla Parson Dean was born in Manhattan, July 20, 1937, to Alan and Jean Kerr, and proudly resided in Newtown from 1950 until her death on January 12, 2026.

Her love of nursing led her to the profession for nearly half a century, and she was integral in the founding of the dialysis unit at Danbury Hospital. After earning her master’s from NYU, she worked as a professor of nursing for more than thirty years at WCSU, where she mentored her many students in their scholastic and professional careers. Even after she retired, she still used her wonderful skills to help hospice patients for many years. She was a lifelong philanthropist, active in community affairs, and an enthusiastic game player, in addition to being an avid adventurer, her extensive travels taking her around the world.

Lilla was predeceased by her husband Bucky Dean and her grandson Robert.

She is survived by her three children, Laura (Ron), Alan (Maria) and Douglas (Elisabeth); nine grandchildren, Cain (Heather), Adam (Jess), James, Oskar, Thomas (Sarah), Andrew, Matilda (Ian), Fredrik, and Albert; and two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Magdalena.

We will cherish the memories we shared with Lilla.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Newtown Scholarship Association, PO Box 302, Newtown CT 06470.

A celebration of life will be held January 24, 2026, from 1 to 4 pm, at Hawleyville Fire House, 34 Hawleyville Road in Newtown.