Lila May McDougal
OBITUARY
Lila May McDougal passed away in Kansas surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Colby, Kansas, to Adolph “Knute” and Leila “Tiny” Bosler McDougal. After graduating from Atwood High School in 1960, she earned a BA in English and Speech from Fort Hays State University.
Lila began her teaching career in Clay Center, Kansas. In 1967, she joined her two brothers in San Diego, California. She taught at Bell Junior High School and then spent the remainder of her career at San Diego High School teaching English, Speech, and World History while also earning her master’s degree in education from SDSU.
Lila retired in 2005 after 39 years in the classroom. She was known for her dedication, kindness, and unwavering belief in her students. Lila remained in contact with many former students and was often invited to–and happily attended–their class reunions.
Beyond the classroom, Lila was known for her gentle kindness and positive spirit. She greeted everyone with a warm smile, a loving hug, and her signature term of endearment, “darling”.
Lila shared a deep and special bond with her siblings, as well as her nieces and nephews and their families. She was actively involved in their lives with devotion and unwavering support. Her love was deeply returned.
Even in her final moments, Lila continued to bring joy to those around her. Confident in God’s love, she lived her final days with peace and gratitude, deeply moved by the outpouring of love shown through cards, calls, messages, flowers, and visits from family and friends
Lila was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Lynn McDougal and Rodney McDougal; and her brother-in-law, Jerry Brooksher. She is survived by her sisters, Mari Lee (Mark) Green and Kathlyn Brooksher; sister-in-law, Anne McDougal; nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and countless friends.
Lila will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all whose lives she touched. Services were held in Atwood, KS and a San Diego celebration of her life will be in April.