By Georgiana Francisco | Correspondent

Longtime president of Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing, Filippini Sister Lillian Harrington, was feted by students and staff with a surprise 84th birthday party in the school cafeteria June 5. After joyously singing “Happy Birthday” to the academy’s first president, everyone feasted on iced cupcakes, some of which were formed into the number 84 in honor of Sister Lillian.

In her role as president, Sister Lillian has been responsible for the establishment of the school’s board of directors, as well as the development, admissions and advancement offices. She also directed the capital campaign to raise funds for the school’s tennis courts, built in 2001, and an athletic center that was built in 2003. Her innovative thinking and strategic planning have led to facilities and programs that prepare and empower young women “to embrace a global perspective, to uphold the dignity of each individual, and to influence the world in a truly Christian manner.”

Olivia Quinn, one of the 12 seniors in this year’s graduating class, and who attended Villa Victoria from first grade through senior year high school, named Sister Lillian as the person who was the most influential in her academic and personal life.

“Sister was always there for me as a great support during my 12 years at Villa,” Quinn said. “She never failed to offer sound advice, gentle guidance and an extraordinary understanding of humanity and Christianity.”

Sister Lillian entered the religious order of the Religious Teachers Filippini in 1959 and began her long relationship with Villa Victoria as a science teacher two years later. In 1974, she was promoted to vice principal, then principal of the upper school from 1976 to 1984. After a seven-year stint as principal of St. Joseph High School, Hammonton, Sister Lillian returned to Villa Victoria as the school’s first president in 1991, a position she holds to this day.

Throughout the years, Sister Lillian has served on Middle States evaluation teams, Diocese of Trenton curriculum committees and on the board of directors in St. Francis Medical Center. She was inducted into Villa Victoria Academy’s Wall of Fame in 2004 and into the New Jersey Women’s Hall of Fame through the Trenton YWCA in 2012. Sister Lillian was also honored by the Mount Carmel Guild in 2014. A life-long native of New Jersey, Sister Lillian holds a bachelor of science degree in education from The College of New Jersey, Ewing, and a master of science degree in biology from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

“Everyone at Villa Victoria loves Sister Lillian,” said principal Filippini Sister Lesley Draper. “She’s the backbone of the school and we are blessed to have her leading us and moving us forward.”

“It was very nice to see all the students in the cafeteria and hear them sing ‘Happy Birthday.’ I really was surprised,” said Sister Lillian, who said she will be there “as long as I can still work and walk around.”