Lillian W. Stoddard

Lillian (Samsel) Stoddard passed away peacefully after a long illness on March 24, 2025, with her son Joseph Stoddard, Jr. by her side. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Stoddard; her sister, Amelia (Samsel) Costa; her brother, Walter Samsel; and her parents, Apolonia and Frank Samsel.

Lillian was born in New Bedford on July 8, 1932 to Apolonia (Smusz) Samsel and Frank Samsel. She was a 1950 graduate of New Bedford High School, having served in the Girls' Auxiliary Military Service (GAMS), the former girls' branch of JROTC. She furthered her education at Kinyon Campbell Business School in New Bedford, eventually working as a secretary to Matthew Tatelbaum, one of the founders of Mars Bargainland in New Bedford.

She married Joseph Stoddard in October 1964. Together they started the J.W. Stoddard Insurance Agency, where she worked as treasurer until her retirement. Lillian and Joseph were very active members of the greater New Bedford Polish-American community. Lillian was a member of the Polish Women's Business and Professional Club. Together they belonged to St. Casimir Church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, the Adam Mickiewicz Society of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America, the Henry Dabrowski Lodge of the Polish National Alliance, and the Friends of Poland.

Lillian loved dancing, especially polka dancing. She was an avid supporter of Polish music on the Southcoast. She and Joe also loved hosting parties at their home in New Bedford, always going out of their way to make their guests feel special.

Lillian is survived by her son, Joseph Stoddard, Jr., and his husband, Paul Mouratidis, of Salem, Massachusetts; her stepson, Daniel J. Stoddard and his wife Joy Stoddard of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; her niece, Nancy Hammond, of New Bedford; her great-niece, Cathy Ortiz and her husband Deon Ortiz of New Bedford; her great-great niece April Martin of New Bedford; her brothers-in-law, Ronald Oliver of Richmondville, New York, John Stoddard of Austin, Texas and Roy Stoddard of Six Mile, South Carolina; her sister-in-law, Rosemarie Stoddard of Gloucester, Virginia; and many other nieces and nephews.

Her visitation will be Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in New Bedford, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, New Bedford.

Arrangements are with Machnowski Funeral Home, 472 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford.

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