Lola Whisnant Zaccagni MacMillan

Lola MacMillan, 90, of Charlotte, died peacefully after a brief illness on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 surrounded by her family at CMC Pineville. Lola was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. A. M. Whisnant of Charlotte. She attended Central High School in Charlotte and graduated from Salem Academy in Winston-Salem. She attended Duke University before becoming one of the first female flight attendants on Eastern Airlines.

Lola was a past president of the Junior League of Charlotte, a former member of Charlotte Country Club, Charlotte Debutante Club, and Biltmore Forest Country Club. She was very active in the community in many ways including the United Appeal, the Social Planning Council and the Girl Scouts.

Lola was born in Charlotte where she and her first husband, Jildo Zaccagni, raised their two daughters. After Jill's tragic death, she met and married Neil Emerson MacMillan. They lived in Black Mountain where she became an avid, accomplished and prolific painter. Her watercolors and oils adorn homes throughout the Southeast. Less than a week ago, she was at her easel. In 1994, she and Neil moved to the Southminster Retirement Community in Charlotte where Lola developed many warm and cherished friendships.

In addition to Jill, she was predeceased by her second husband, Neil MacMillan, her brother A. M. Whisnant, Jr., and sisters Henrietta Whisnant McNeely and Hope Whisnant Girvin.

Lola is survived by her daughters Hope Spencer Zaccagni (Keith Gregory) of Alfred, NY, and Leslie Zaccagni Hodnett (Byron) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, stepsons Neil E. MacMillan, Jr. (Nina) of Fairfield, CT, Scott A. MacMillan (Becky) of Boca Raton, FL, stepdaughter Mary C. MacMillan of Charlotte, NC, grandson Seth F. Gregory, granddaughter Hope Spencer Gregory, three stepgranddaughters, five stepgreat-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lola had a special gift for taking interest in other people. She made all feel welcomed and included. To the end, she lived in the moment and the present, never dwelling on the past, always totally engaged and current. Even her last few days in the hospital, she befriended every nurse and doctor who entered her room. One health care worker said she wanted to 'put Lola in her pocket and take her home.' Lola took a real shine to wonderful Dr. Kamath and, to his delight, jokingly nicknamed him 'Dr. Dog.' Thanks to Dr. Kamath and all who cared so tenderly for her at CMC Pineville. Special thanks to Dr. Jordan Lipton who cared for her with love for many years at Signature Healthcare and to her 'angel,' Marie Shaird, her special friend and loving caregiver. Lola was the epitome of sunshine, fun, creativity, taste and love. She showed all who knew her how to age with humor, style and joy.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, October 15 in the Great Hall at Southminster, 8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC.

The family will receive friends at Southminster after the service.

It was Lola's wish that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the Southminster Foundation at the above address.

TH Robertson Funeral Service Lic. is handling the arrangements.

Published in Charlotte Observer on October 13, 2010