Lillian was born on March 2, 1915 to Wilfred and Lena (Arcand) Fontaine. She was the youngest of three children and raised on Cumberland and Elm Streets in Woonsocket.  Lillian attended the St. Ann school until the 9th grade. Mid way through her 9th year she left to tend the house for her mother who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She began working at the Glenark Mill in 1934, working as a ring spinner and twister operator.