LILLIAN CUSHNER STEINBERG

Lillian Cushner Steinberg passed away peacefully on June 15, 2019, one week shy of her 92nd birthday.

She was a well-known watercolor artist in La Conner, Washington, who exhibited her paintings at several local galleries, including Art in a Picklebarn at several annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festivals. She and her husband, Maynard Steinberg, lived in Shelter Bay, La Conner in their retirement. Some years after his death, Lillian moved to Portland Oregon to be near her youngest daughter, Emily Orth, her son-in-law Alan Orth, and grandson Benjamin Orth.

In addition to being a talented and prolific artist, Lillian was a realist. She faced aging and dying head on, making advance arrangements to live at Cedar Sinai Park in Portland where they accommodate people’s changing needs. At the time of her death, she was living in Robison House where she was comfortable and well taken care.

Lillian grew up in Massachusetts. Her parents were immigrants from Eastern Europe. Her mother, Goldie, who died when Lillian was a young girl, was a dressmaker, and her father, David Cushner, was a tailor. Upon the death of his wife, David separated Lillian and younger sister Ruth and sent the girls to live with different relatives. Eventually, Lillian made her way to Boston where she attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts.

She and Maynard spent time in Greenwich Village, New York and in Massachusetts.

The family moved to Washington State in 1966, where Lillian earned a teaching degree from the University of Washington and then taught art at Showalter Junior High School in Tukwila.

In addition to Emily and her family, Lillian is survived by her daughter Julie Orr of Everett, Washington, son-in-law Keith Orr, grandsons Zachary and Henry Orr and nephews David Long and Daniel Lefkowitz of Vermont.

The family thanks the many small mercies of the hospice care workers who made her comfortable and eased her last days.

Remembrances of Lillian can be made to Museum of Northwest Art, PO Box 969, La Conner, WA 98257.