Vera Elisabeth “Lillan” (Fossum) Groom, age 87, of Swampscott, died peacefully on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at The Mariner in Marblehead, surrounded by her loving family. Born in 1938, in Oslo, Norway, Lillan was the daughter of the late Ragnar and Vera (Clareus) Fossum. She immigrated to the United States in 1958 where she met her husband, the late Thomas Groom. “Farmor”, as her grandchildren affectionately knew her, and “Mrs. G” to her sons’ friends, initially moved from Boston to Salem and has resided in Swampscott for the past 53 years.

Lillan was a little girl in 1940 when Hitler invaded a peaceful Norway and occupied the country for 5 of her early years. Her father, Ragnar, a true Norwegian patriot, was an active member of the Resistance and often put himself and the Fossum family at great risk. She would often tell the story of how their attic became a hideout for Jewish families seeking sanctuary while her father, and fellow members of the resistance, helped shepherd them to safety in neutral Sweden. Lillan spoke 5 languages and was proud of that accomplishment, however, she was most proud of her 9 grandchildren and her 3 sons, Tom, David and Dwight. Although she loved life in the US with her family, she reminded all of them constantly how Norway was often ranked as “The best country in the world to live in”. As a young woman in Norway, Lillan was a ski jumper, and later became an avid tennis player, masterful knitter, and a hard-core bridge player. She played her last game of bridge with her good friends at The Mariner only days before her passing. She loved spending time with her family and friends whether at home, or at the family lake house in Bridgton, Maine where she would pick wild blueberries and forage for wild mushrooms. Maine reminded her of beautiful Norway where her heart continued to reside. Lillan also loved traveling to other parts of the world and boasted of the fact that she had visited 26 different countries on 4 continents. Her professional career spanned decades as an Executive Assistant in the Aerospace, Construction and Chemical Industries. She was Assistant to the President at Contour Chemical Co., Executive Assistant to the Chairman/CEO at Comerics Corp. and the Corporate Controller at Groom Construction Company, the family business.

Lillan is survived by her loving sons, Thomas Groom and his wife Pamela of Swampscott, David Groom and daughter-in-law Alicia of Swampscott and Dwight Groom and his wife Julie of Marblehead; her beloved grandchildren, Jessica, Wesley, Abby, Nina, Alexandra, Erika, Mia, Tommy and Erik Groom; her sisters, Inger Thoen and brother-in-law Svein of Michigan, and Turid Weston of Norway. She also had many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. She was predeceased by her former husband Thomas Groom IV; her sisters, Berit Lonøe and Eli Fossum and her sisters-in-law, Elizabeth “Betty” Groom, Mary Groom Poser and Helen Groom Johnston with whom she was very close to over the many years. She was also predeceased by her dear friend Walker McKinney who adored her.

A Celebration of Life for Lillan will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at The Beacon, 123 Pleasant St, Marblehead, MA at 11a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. A Private Burial Service for the immediate family was held graveside at Swampscott Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that a contribution in her memory be made to Lifebridge North Shore in Salem, MA at www.lifebridgenorthshore.org/donate or to Care Dimensions Hospice at www.caredimensions.org/donate Arrangements entrusted to SOLIMINE FUNERAL HOMES, LYNN.