Lillian E. Marcantel

Mrs. Lillian E. Melvin Marcantel, age 78, of 12 B Fairview Ave. Lenox, died Sunday morning after a long illness. She was born in Everett, MA, on April 29, 1942, the daughter of the late Arthur R. and Rena M. Ranlett Melvin. Educated in the local schools she was a 1960 graduate of Melrose High School. Lillian’s entire career and avocation was centered around Consumer Advocacy.

She came to Lenox in 1978 and became the Director of the Berkshire County Consumer Advocates which worked in conjunction with the Mass. Attorney General’s Office. Additionally, she was one of the founding members of  the Berkshire Health Care Coalition which brought together members from the medical community, the insurance industry, labor unions, consumers and the then, Hillcrest and North Adams Regional Hospitals as well as the Berkshire Medical Center. Fair to all, she was especially interested in getting health care providers/insurers to author full disclosure documents as part of their individual health insurance plans so consumers could more easily understand their choices and coverages.  

As part of her executive role, she travelled to Boston to testify at legislative hearings on health care issues and consumer advocacy.

Lillian was very active in her church, the Berkshire First Church of the Nazarene in Dalton. A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, she lived her life guided by her personal integrity in the service of others.  

A huge Red Sox fan as well as the other New England teams, Lillian loved to vacation in and around Lake Winnipesaukee.

She is survived by her son, Scott Marcantel of Albany, NY  her daughter, Renee Marcantel of Lenox,  and  her two grandsons, Cameron and Kyle Marcantel as well as her granddaughter, Isabella Marcantel.

Calling hours at the DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME will be THURSDAY, Feb. 25th from 5 to 7 pm. Funeral services will be held FRIDAY morning at 10:00 A.M. at the Berkshire First Church of the Nazarene, 165 North St. Dalton. Burial will be in the Mountain View Cemetery in Lenox. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Berkshire First Church of the Nazarene in care of the funeral home.