A resident of Danbury all her life and a lifetime with one company. Born at 385 Main Street, Danbury in 1931. The days when Jack-o-lanterns and burning of leaves were popular. Helped her parents sell as many as 500 Christmas Trees outside her parents store and home in the freezing winter snows. Lila would help her father make wreaths from the trimmings of the trees. The income was a great bonus for Christmas gifts. She also worked in her parents' (Mike and Jenny) grocery store adjacent to their home. Attended St. Joseph's School for 8 years and a member of the Church choir. Attended Danbury High School graduating in 1949 with honors. After graduation, Lila wanted to attend Green Mountain College up north but in those days going away from a home as a single girl was not well accepted by the parents. Her teachers from High School prompted her to take the test at the College in Danbury called "Normal College" in those days, but because the school did not offer business subjects it was difficult to pass the test e.g. Shakespeare and Algebra, and she failed. The IQ tests were great to pass but when it came to subjects she did not take, it was impossible. Disappointed as she was and just out of high school in 1949, one of her friends told her about Barden. In October, 1949, she walked into the lobby of The Barden Corporation, manufacturers of Precision Ball Bearings. The company was closed because of inventory. In those days, Barden closed its books October 31, a fiscal year. She was lucky to be greeted by Mr. Tomlinson, Vice President-General Manager, who asked her what she was looking for? She told him that she just graduated from Danbury High School after having taken the Commercial Coursein Business (Shorthand and Typing) and was looking for an office position. Mr. Tomlinson answered: "I think I know just the job you would be qualified for" and he called someone, made an appointment for Lila, and within a day, she was hired for the Quality Control