Tributes Paid to Fulham Centenarian Lil Francis
Family remembers a woman who spent her entire life in the area
Lil Francis celebrating her milestone 100th birthday on 11 April 2024. Picture: H&F Council
October 13, 2025
Tributes have poured in for lifelong Fulham resident Lil Francis, who passed away peacefully on 23 August at the age of 101. Her family and friends gathered on 30 September at Putney Vale Cemetery to celebrate a life defined by resilience, warmth, and deep community roots.
Born on 11 April 1924 in Cassidy Road, Lil was the second youngest of ten siblings and spent her entire life in Hammersmith & Fulham. Her story mirrors the borough’s own evolution—from wartime hardship to post-war rebuilding and beyond. As a young woman, Lil worked in a factory supporting the Second World War effort, later marrying George Francis in 1943. The couple raised three children and lived in Sulivan Court and Clem Attlee Court, eventually settling in Stafford Cripps House.
Lil’s working life included 13 years at Kodak in Rylston Road, where she photographed maps and documents. Even after retirement, she continued cleaning work until the age of 80.
For the past two decades, Lil lived at Cedar Lodge sheltered housing in Eternit Walk, where she remained surrounded by family and neighbours. Her grandson Jamie McFarlane described her as “proud to have lived her whole life in Fulham,” noting that her centenary last year was marked with joy by six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
“She passed away on a lovely bright morning,” Jamie said. “It was the kind of weather to reward a long and full life. Once again Nan was lucky with the weather, and I’m sure it would have made her smile.”
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