Lila M. Mays-Verges, affectionately known to many simply as Lila, passed away on January 5, 2026, at the age of 71, leaving behind a life defined by love, steadiness, and quiet strength.
Lila was born in Denmark, South Carolina, and at the age of seven, she relocated with her family to Westchester County, New York, first settling in Port Chester and later making her home in Yonkers. These early transitions shaped her resilience and adaptability, qualities that would remain central to who she was throughout her life.
She valued education deeply and attended Elizabeth Seton College, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. Education represented more than achievement to Lila, it was a pathway to independence, confidence, and opportunity.
Lila built a respected career as a financial analyst with Merrill Lynch in New York City. Known for her professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail, she took pride in her work and in the relationships she built along the way. To her colleagues, she was dependable and thoughtful; to her family, she was a steady source of guidance and reassurance.
Family was the true center of Lila’s life. She was a devoted and loving mother to her children, Venus Verges and Glen Mays, and a proud and adoring grandmother to Paris V. Cantave, Ishmael A. Morales-Verges, and Sollie Mays. She was also a cherished sister, always present in ways both meaningful and understated. Lila never missed a birthday and was well known for her latenight phone calls, just to check in, to listen, or to remind someone they were loved. These simple acts reflected the care she gave so freely and consistently.
Lila is survived by her siblings Betty Ann Mays, her half brother and sisters Teresa Mays, Ada Mays, and Edward Beaty Mays, along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and close friends who were deeply loved and held close to her heart.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Betty and Henry Mays, and by her siblings Nancy Mays, Phyllis Mays, Eartha Mays, and Henry Mays, whom she carried with her always and remembered with love.
Lila will be remembered for her warmth, her reliability, her quiet humor, and the way she made others feel seen, supported, and cared for without ever seeking recognition.
Though she is no longer with us, her spirit remains in every life she touched, living on through love, memories, and the strong family bonds she so carefully nurtured.
