Lillian M. Salazar

With great sadness we announce the passing of Lillian M. Salazar on Tuesday, February 4th. Lillian Cozzi was born in the Bronx on May 15, 1935, and lived mostly in Manhattan, before retiring to New Jersey. She was surrounded by loved ones when she departed, including her beloved aides Keri and Mercy. She would have been 91 years old in May.

Lillian and her husband, the late Michael Southwell, were educators in NYC and raised their two boys in a blended family on the Upper West Side. While they loved city living, Lillian and Mike were both passionate environmentalists and nature enthusiasts. They were active birders, campers and loved watching nature shows on TV with their boys. This led to the purchase of a summer cottage on Glen Wild Lake in northern New Jersey in 1982. They spent summers and weekends there until 1996 when they relocated and rebuilt the cottage into their dream Arts & Crafts-inspired home, moving in full time when Lillian retired.

 The first in her family to attend college, Lillian’s lifelong commitment to education inspired generations of gifted students as she devoted herself to teaching with innovative, experiential methods. For her students, nature was not just a subject, but a living, breathing classroom. Notably, she taught elementary students at PS 6 in the prestigious Astor Program and finished her career teaching 4th grade for many years at The Trinity School.

 Beyond her profound impact as an educator, Lillian embraced life with contagious enthusiasm. Whether it was her unending love for her cats, enjoying a crisp glass of Sancerre, or cooking the perfect meal, Lillian relished the simple things. 

 She loved celebrating every occasion, big or small, and had a rare gift for making those around her feel cherished and seen. Her warm laughter, witty spirit, and genuine love for people transformed ordinary moments into lifelong memories.

 Lillian’s heart shone brightest in her role as the beloved matriarch of a closely-knit family. She adored her two sons, Adam Salazar and Alex Southwell, whose lives and love of nature are a testament to her nurturing guidance. Lillian delighted in sharing that she once had 21 animals filling the boys’ bedroom—snakes, salamanders, chameleons, frogs, and fish—each one a spark to ignite their curiosity about the wonders of the natural world.

 Her family grew through the love of her daughters-in-law, Harli (Adam’s wife) and Sandy, (Alex’s ex-wife), as well as the boundless joy of her grandchildren - Madeline, Lucas, Gemma, Felix, and Booker. They all shared many treasured lake visits and annual trips to LBI which helped to pass Lillian and Mike’s love of nature on to the next generation. 

Lillian also adored her “alternate grandchildren”, MacKenzie and Griffin Darcey, and her surrogate children Jacquie and John Darcey. Living next door to one another in a private lake cove, the two families became one, their doors and hearts always open. 

 As we reflect on Lillian’s legacy, we remember a life filled with passion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to education and family. Her spirit will forever inspire us to celebrate life’s wonders and to love freely and deeply, just as she did.

 Though our hearts ache with her loss, we find comfort in the memories she leaves behind—those of joy, curiosity, and compassion that will continue to guide and uplift us. Lillian will be dearly missed, yet her light shines on in every life she touched.

 Rest in peace, dear Lillian. Your legacy of love and celebration will live on in our hearts always.

Funeral services will be held on February 13, 2025 at Morrison Etheridge Funeral Home, 86 Bartholdi Avenue, Butler, NJ. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am followed by the service at 12:00 pm on site. Lillian’s family would like to invite anyone to speak at the service, please let us know upon arrival if you intend to do so, thank you.