"Does my hair look ok?" She always wanted to look her best and she did! She was beautiful inside and out!

Lydia Gogola passed away on April 24, 2021. She was an amazing woman who lived an amazing life!

She was born on March 2, 1932 in Detroit, MI to Marco and Mary (Duronio) Borrillo. She received a bachelor's degree in science at Michigan State University on December 11,1956.

On February 2, 1957, she married Cass Gogola. They raised three sons, Christopher, William and James.

She was a teacher with Garden City Schools for over 20 years. After that she was a substitute teacher for Farmington schools. She taught a variety of science, but biology was her favorite. Later she went back to get her certificate to teach Physical Education.

She wasn't just a teacher, but she was a mentor for students, she cared about them and shared her talents with them. She would choreograph their dances at Garden City High. She and her brother even performed a dance for the students…They showed them what a real boogie looks like!

Lydia had a talent and a passion for the arts.

She was an artist and painted several oil paintings.

She danced with Arthur Murray Dance studio and had her own local television show called

"The Lydia Taylor Show" in 60s.

She was an ice skater who spent a summer skating at MSU. She skated in the Southfield Ice Company and performed in many of their ice shows in the 70s.

She volunteered for 12 years at the Detroit Opera House.

Andrea Bocelli and The Three Tenors where amongst some of her favorite performers. However, she loved

a variety of music including Elton John and recently attended an ELO concert. She could rock it out!

Lydia was taught at a very early age to work hard and keep her family together. She loved her family and was the glue that kept them together. She held her relationships dear with her friends from her childhood and to friends she may have just met more recently. She traveled to Europe twice, went on a cruise, loved her antiques and fun jewelry. She knew how to keep up with vogue!

Lydia was preceded in death by her husband Cass and parents Marco and Mary,

She is survived by children Christopher (Terri) Gogola, William (Sharon) Gogola, James Gogola. Cherished Grandmother to Trevor (Jenna), Austin, Marco and Tara and great grandmother to Piper. She is a dear sister to her brother Tom and remembered by her nieces and cousins.

We will be celebrating her life on Monday May 3rd at Thayer-Rock funeral home with

visitation from 1:00-6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to one of Lydia's special causes,

St. Jude's Children Research Hospital.

Monday, May 03, 2021

1:00 PM - 6:30 PM

33603 Grand River Avenue
Farmington, Michigan 48335

Directions