Lilo Waechter Duncan

Published 1:27 pm Friday, March 28, 2025

Lilo Waechter Duncan, age 94, of Elizabethton, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Hillview Rehabilitation Center. Lilo was born in Elizabethton on May 2, 1930, to the late Albert and Maria (Korr) Waechter. In addition to her parents, Lilo was also preceded in death by her husband, Howard Duncan; two sisters, Margaret Broome and Hetty Klapp; and one nephew, Al Broome.

Lilo was a retired educator. She taught at Happy Valley Middle School, Keenburg Elementary, Ross Robinson Middle School and Coral Shores High School in Tavenier, Florida. In her retirement, Lilo’s greatest joy was taking care of her great-great-nieces and nephews, especially Maggie and Aubrey. She was a surrogate grandmother to her great-nephews and great-niece, Brett, Becky and Ben.

Lilo was a devoted member and also the oldest living member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. She was a member of St. Elizabeth Women’s Guild, the Elizabethton/Carter County Imagination Library, and the GFWC of Elizabethton Women’s Club, where she was the current secretary.

Lilo was the supportive wife of her husband while he was the football coach at Hampton High School and Coral Shores High School. She also served as cheerleading sponsor at Coral Shores High School. Lilo was honored with an award as 2023 Milligan University Leader in Christian Service. She loved playing bridge. Preparing Sunday dinners for her family was a very important part of her life.

Those left to cherish and remember Lilo include her nieces, Mary Klapp and Terry Cole, both of Elizabethton; her great-nephews and great-nieces, Brett (Rachel) Cole of Elizabethton, Ben (Joy) Cole, also of Elizabethton, Becky (Michael) Wexler of Spring Hill, Tenn., and Lucy (Jeremy) Webb of Aiken, S.C.; her great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, Maggie Cole, Aubrey Cole, Olivia Wexler, Paige Wexler, Daily Grace Cole, Bradleigh Webb, Aiden Cole and Hendrix Webb; special niece, Susan (Bill) Warner and their son, Ross. Several other nieces and nephews also survive.

A visitation will be conducted on Sunday, March 30, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hathaway Percy Funeral Home of Elizabethton.

A funeral Mass to honor and celebrate the life of Lilo Waechter Duncan will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 510 West C St., Elizabethton.

The graveside service will follow at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Brett Cole, Aiden Cole, Ross Warner, Bill Warner, Richard Barker and Joe Alexander. Honorary pallbearers will be her church family at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church; members of the Knights of Columbus; Jim Campbell; and all of her Mayfield Drive neighbors, friends of the Elizabethton/Carter County Imagination Library, and the graduating class of 1948 at Elizabethton High School.

Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations in honor of Lilo to the Elizabethton/Carter County Imagination Library, 201 N. Sycamore St., Elizabethton, TN 37643.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family by visiting our website at www.hathawaypercy.com. Hathaway Percy Funeral Home of Elizabethton is honored to serve the Duncan family. Office phone: (423) 543-5544.