Lillian Prawitt

Lillian Prawitt’s death certificate will identify her as an “artist,” but only because it’s impossible to be any more specific. Lillian painted everything from portraits to murals. She made collages; fancy teapots; mosaic bowls, vases and plates; puppets; decorative fish; and so, so many little cats. She illustrated stories, sewed elaborate Halloween costumes, turned a barren field into a lush garden, and covered walls and floors in dazzling mosaics. She wrote poems, short stories and children's books, and published a fantasy-adventure trilogy. In short, she was a prolific, creative force of nature.

Lillian was born June 24, 1946 to James and Alice Avis in St. Louis, Missouri, but she grew up in Salt Lake City. Lillian was the sixth of seven children; she adored every one of her siblings, and was especially close to her sisters Jean and Polly.

In 1965 Lillian met Eckhardt Prawitt and they married a year later. Together they had three sons and a daughter. Although Lillian and Eckhardt separated in 2011, in 2023 they moved into the same senior care center, reconciled, and became the quintessential cute, little old couple.

Lillian taught creative writing at a school for gifted children. She was later a substitute teacher for many years.

What Lillian lacked in religiosity she made up for in spirituality. She loved reading tarot cards and palms, could not be dissuaded from interpreting any dream told to her, and always encouraged people to follow their “higher path.” For several years she wrote an astrology column for a small, local paper.

Perhaps more than anything, though, Lillian was a devoted mother. She gave everything she possibly could to her children, and then found ways to give a little bit more. She nurtured her children’s academics and passionately supported their own creative inclinations.

It would paint an incomplete picture to not mention that Lillian suffered with mental health issues, at varying levels of intensity, her whole life. Her suffering, however, never diminished her capacity for deep, abiding love. Over her final few years she at last found relief from her moods and intrusive thoughts; sadly, that came at the expense of her short-term memory as she slowly slipped into dementia. She had just started a new painting when she became suddenly and gravely ill on Nov. 28, 2024. She passed away peacefully under home hospice in the early hours of December 3.

Lillian is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and her youngest son, Arthur Prawitt. She is survived by three sisters, her husband, sons Ryan Adams and Randolph Prawitt (Paul Jenkins), daughter Lori Prawitt, granddaughters Chandra Adams and Chyna Prawitt (whom she thought of as her own daughter), four great grandchildren, almost-daughter-in-law Mary Shinney, and numerous, grieving nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.

Friends and family are invited to Larkin Mortuary (260 E South Temple, SLC) on Saturday, December 14 between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. for refreshments and an open mic.