Obituary of Lillian D. Shanley

Lillian was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1939 to the parents of Jenny Buseck and George Umland.  She was one of 4 children. Her older sister Joanie, and two younger siblings, Donald and Marie. 

When she was 5 years old she boldly stated to her mother "I can do it myself" when walking to school and that meant crossing many busy streets to get there but she was determined to do it herself. She started out that stubborn and stayed that way most of her life.

Being the 2nd oldest child in the family of four she did not always have an easy time. She was a parental figure to her younger brother and sister. She was their protection when it came to the neighborhood bully and their rock when they moved to a new apartment, which they often did.  She was also the caretaker for her mother when her mother was older and ill.

Then came Jack. Jack Shanley was her husband for many years. Although their marriage wasn't always perfect, she did love Jack in her own unique way.  They had challenges when having children, but soon enough along came Marianne, Dawn, and Jack.

Christmas time was one of her favorite times of the year, especially when her kids were little. Even if they only had a Charlie Brown (borrowed from the highway) she and Jack always tried to make that time special, even when the dollar did not stretch as far as they wanted it. A special event to her was having everyone around the dinner table and sharing, stories about the family, and maybe a little gossip. Spring time was another favorite because Lillian loved flowers and plants.  Be it the trees in the yard or the flower boxes along the deck, she liked the colors, and how they made the world beautiful.

Another of her favorite past times was going Junk store shopping. She loved to bargain and haggle. She especially liked Milk glass and was happy to find pieces that she could put in her cabinet. They weren't expensive items. They were just items that made her feel like she was making her house a home.  If she thought your house needed a change she was more than happy to help redecorate. Just ask Marie.  (Forgive me Joe in heaven!)

Although her life was not a bed of roses at times, she scraped through, made do, and put her own stubborn stamp on the world.  She is someone that no one in this room is likely to forget  and one of those people that you will stop and think about at the oddest moments. 

PS. She might be upset that not one swear word was included but after all this is being read by the priest.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to:

Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital          www.stjude.org