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- The Day (New London, CT)
September 29, 2003
Loreauville, La. - Lillian "Babe" Elizabeth Cate Hansley, 84, of Loreauville, died Saturday afternoon, Sept. 27, 2003, at Iberia Medical Center in New Iberia, La., after a brief illness. She was surrounded by family.
Lillian "Babe" Cate was born July 26, 1919, in New London to Lillian Elizabeth Miles Cate of New York and Earl Raymond Cate Sr. of New Hampshire.
She graduated from Robert E. Fitch Sr. High School in 1938, and from Connecticut State College, where her interest was in equestrian studies.
Lillian's life was filled with accomplishments and she lived her life with a pioneering spirit. She danced on Broadway as a child, taught dancing, and choreographed dance for The June Taylor Dancers. She won state championships in seven different states for Drum majorette and baton twirling. Her 1937 seven state championship record stands to this day.
A woman ahead of her time, "Babe" was a licensed airplane pilot in an era when there were few women aviators. Lillian and her family survived a plane crash in 1955. Piloted by her husband, John Hansley of Groton, Lillian, John and their daughter, Colleen, crashed their private plane in Massapequa, Long Island.
Mrs. Hansley worked for General Dynamics-Electric Boat Co. and was one of the first contributors to the Social Security system. Lillian Hansley was a U.S. Navy wife during WWII, and was involved in many naval family activities. Her husband, John, served on the submarine U.S.S. Barb, which is the only submarine in history to have destroyed a train, and recorded the most tonnage destroyed during WWII.
Lillian was a member of The Order of Eastern Star for 51 years, a member of the Civil Air Patrol after WWII, belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary, and was involved with many other civic, church, and political organizations. Lillian was a member of the Poquonnock Bridge Baptist Church.
She helped establish the Coast Guard Cantina in Groton, Eastern Point. She loved horses and owned a horse farm and stable in Ledyard and was involved in many equestrian events with her daughter, Midge.
In her later years, Lillian enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading, and watching sports, but her favorite activity was time spent with her family. She will be remembered for embracing life and living it to the fullest, for her quick wit and her laughter. She taught her family that their love for one another would get them through the toughest times. Her love and friendship will be missed by all that knew her.
Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, Lillian and Earl Cate Sr., brother Earl R. Cate Jr., husband, John C. Hansley, son John G. Hansley, and daughter, Georgianna Allen.
Lillian is survived by daughters Colleen H. Temple of Loreauville, La., and Madeleine H. Finlay of Cottageville, S.C.; a sister, Dorothy Starkey of Stuart, Fla.; grandchildren, Kim Dieudonné, Cate Plauché, Casey Plauché, Lucas Plauché, and Michael Barnhill of Loreauville, La., Stephanie Hightower, Jamie Harris, and Crystal Harris of Summerville, S.C., Trey Duplechain of New Iberia, La., Sean Allen, and Laura Jean Hansley of Fla.; and great-grandchildren, Desireé Reynolds of Loreauville, La., Tyler, Manny, Andrew and Caitlyn Alcantara of Summerville, S. C.
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1919 - 2003 (84 years)
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