Elizabeth Cairns, 89, retailer, bowler

Elizabeth A. Cairns of Old Town Road, Ridgefield, a retired Wilton retailer, died Wednesday, March 12, at Wilton Meadows. She was 89 years old and the widow of James R. Cairns Sr.
Mrs. Cairns was born in Queens, N.Y., on Nov. 20, 1913, the second of 14 children of Robert and Elizabeth O’Keefe Dillman. She attended Long Island schools and lived on Long Island until her marriage to James Cairns in 1931. Mrs. Cairns then moved to Staten Island, N.Y., and later to Mount Kisco, N.Y. In 1940 the couple came to the area, and had a home in Branchville since 1960. Mr. Cairns died in 1974.
For many years, Mrs. Cairns was a manager of Maggie’s Children Store in Wilton. She was an avid bowler and a member of the Mary Rebekah Lodge in Ridgefield.
Mrs. Cairns was a member of the First Congregational Church of Ridgefield.
“Her family was the most important part of her life and she very much enjoyed her extended family as well,” her family said.
Mrs. Cairns is survived by three sons, James R. Cairns Jr. and his wife Lucille of Venice, Fla., Donald Cairns and his wife Marcia of New Milford, and Roy Cairns and his wife Laura of Mahopac, N.Y.; two sisters, Rita Abrams of Long Island, N.Y., and Katherine Lobracco of Indiana; a brother, Frank Dillman of Florida; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
The Rev. Mark Allan of the First Congregational Church in Ridgefield conducted services Monday in the Kane Funeral Home. Burial will take place in Fairlawn Cemetery, Ridgefield, in the spring.
Contributions in her memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.