Julia “Lillian” Skonieczny of White Lake (formerly of Traverse City and Detroit), passed away Thursday, February 3, 2022, at age 99.

Born in Glouster, Ohio, July 1, 1922, the daughter of John and Catherine Gosk, who emigrated from Poland through Ellis Island.

Loving sister of the late Charles Gosk, Jean Ewald, Lucy Varner, Bernice Rozwood and Walda Sanocki.

Beloved wife of the late Anthony Skonieczny; loving mother of Kathleen (Stanley) Svoboda, Susan (William) Mohr, David (Debra) Skonieczny and the late Anthony Skonieczny, Jr.; proud grandmother of Jeffrey (Karen Myers) Svoboda, Matthew Scott (Annette McLane) Svoboda, Kenneth (Janet) Svoboda, Julia (Salvatore Numerosi) Svoboda, Jennifer (Adam) Vredeveld, Bethany (Declan) O’Neill, Rachel Mohr, Andrew (Maura Fulton) Mohr, Alissa Skonieczny, Amanda (Shawn) Clark and Jason (Chelsea) Skonieczny; great grandmother of Drake, Garret, Joy and Levi Svoboda, Autumn and Summer McLane-Svoboda,  Mylada and Bryda Numerosi, Jack, Leah, Luke and Emma Vredeveld, Cuinn and Aodhan O’Neill, Kayla Skonieczny and Adley and Amelia Clark.

Lillian had a passion for being with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Lillian loved to cook and entertain, making hundreds of cookies and pierogi every Christmas. She was known for the best lemon and orange chiffon cakes, and making pies from scratch.

Lillian was an avid gardener and her yard was always bursting with beautiful flowers, especially her hybrid dahlias. She loved being outdoors and was a snowbird who escaped to Florida when the snow hit Traverse City. Lillian was an enthusiastic knitter, making blankets and various other items for friends and family.

Lillian was also a pinochle and Rummikub shark--but never gloated upon a win!

But, most of all, Lillian was a genuinely kind soul and always there for anyone who needed her. Her engaging smile and witty sense of humor also drew others to her.

Everyone she met loved her, including the wonderful staff at Westlake Health Campus, where she lived for the last 4 years of her life.

We know Lillian is at peace with her beloved husband, Tony, and reunited with all of her family and friends. She is looking down on all of us and saying, “I’m happy and I want you to be happy, too. Please celebrate me and the life we shared together.”

Visitation for Lillian will be 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Friday, February 11, 2022, at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home.

Lillian’s Funeral Service is at the funeral home at 10:00 am Saturday, February 12, 2022.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Capuchin Soup Kitchen, a charity near and dear to Lillian’s heart, would be appreciated.

Capuchin Soup Kitchen

4390 Conner St

Detroit, MI 48215

www.cskdetroit.org/online-donations