Lillian Ann  Mendrek Age 89
May 18, 2013Beloved wife of the late Leonard.Dear mother of Lenny, Kathy (Ron) Watson, Jim (Yolanda), Dennis (Iale), Pat (Mike) O'Leary.Grandmother of 7, step grandmother of 4 and great grandmother of 5.Sister of Jean (Harry) Peruske, Mary (Eddie) Tencza, Al (Lotti) Kuznucki, Virginia (Dick) Teefey, the late Ed (Jean) Kuznicki, the late Jim (Sally) Kuznicki Francis and the late Harry (Stella) Kuznicki.In state at St Patrick's  Church 711 Rickett Rd Brighton Friday 10:30am until the funeral liturgy at 11:30am.
Lillian Ann Kuznicki Mendrek May 6, 1924 - May 18, 2013
Named at birth Leokadya, known as Lillian and later nicknamed "Nanny" she was a tiny person who made a big impact on all those she loved and came in contact with.   Although she stood only 4'10", everyone looked up to her for her ability to make the best out of any situation or struggle life presented.
Lillian was raised in Detroit on Campbell Street with her parents John and Anna, and 9 brothers and sisters: Jim, Jean, Eddie, Harry, Mary, Al and Virginia.  Sadly, her mother died when Lillian was 11, so she learned to help with household chores and caring for younger siblings at an early age.  Lillian attended St. Frances Elementary School, but did not complete high school.  She began working at 15 at her first job in a suitcase factory.
Lillian's best friend Adeline lived a block away and had a brother named Leonard Mendrek who Lillian became "sweet" on. The whole gang hung out at the Swing Bowl ice cream parlor and they started "smooching" on dates.  Lillian was seen with Len more and more, but they still weren't exclusive.  But then Len was drafted and he wrote to her often proclaiming his love for her.  She has saved those letters to this day.
When Len returned from his duty, he had made up his mind that he wanted her to be his bride.  He took her out for a drive and when he proposed she said "I'll think about it" to which he replied "Fine. But I'm not letting you out of this car until you say yes!"   He showered her with engagement gifts; a beautiful ocelot fur coat, a cedar hope chest, a set of pots and pans and a bedroom set.... what more could a bride want?  "In those days, " she justified, "women didn't give their groom gifts, they just gave them love."  "And that," he confirmed, "Is all I wanted from her."   He lovingly called her Lily because lillies were her favorite flower.
So Lillian married Len on May 17, 1947 at St. Hedwig Church in Detroit, followed by a reception at Lovett Hall.  As Lillian said, "I chased him for 7 years and he finally caught me."   They honeymooned in Traverse City and by the time they left they were already expecting their first-born son Lenny Jr., who coincidentally now lives in Traverse City since the early 80's.
The newlyweds lived with Len's mother and shortly after Lenny's birth they moved into their first home on Abbington Street.  They later moved to an upper flat on Cicotte Street.  In 1952 their family was growing.  Lenny and Kathy were toddlers and they had just had twins Jimmy and Dennis.  They contracted with a builder to build their new home on Sherbourne Street in Inkster, where Patty was born four years later and they lived there until 1985.   After 33 years, Len and Lillian retired and moved to North Fort Myers Florida.
Len and Lil celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on a whole family cruise accompanied by all of their children and their spouses and their grandchildren.  When interviewed about their life together, Len said, "Lillian taught me everything I know about love.  She believes in respect and laughter and always being there for each other, and never going to bed angry.  The secret to staying together 50 years is sacrifice, caring, sharing and lots of love.  We always agree to disagree instead of arguing, and always working toward common goals together."   He said, "I love  how she always comforts me and takes care of me no matter how tired she is and I love what a wonderful cook she is.  It shows me over and over again how much she loves me"  Lillian said, "We never use the word divorce.  It is just not in our vocabulary."
Lillian began caring for other children when her youngest was 5.  She had a role the raising of over 35 children of her family, friends, neighbors and even strangers who became close friends.  At the age of 77, she went to Montana to live with her Granddaughter and become full-time Nanny to the family's second pair of twins in 50 years.  She continued to be tireless and never complained about being stressed or sore.
Nanny worked, lived, laughed, enjoyed and endured every aspect of life.  Each new day, each new situation only created another problem to solve, child to teach, friend to comfort, family to love, or chance to fix a wrong.   She once said she loved to be around little children because they kept her young at heart.  She said she learned from them to think simply and purely.
Besides being a famous child care provider, Nanny's trademarks were her signature bright smile that could light up a room;  being known as the "life of the party;"  running a tight ship in her household;  her love of music and dancing; her traditional cooking;  her limitless optimism; her tireless resolve to help wherever needed; her fierce loyalty to her family; her true heart of gold.  She never missed a holiday, a party or acknowledging a special occasion.
Lillian saw everything as an opportunity to learn and pass along information. She loved to clip articles and hand them our to the appropriate recipient.  She had pet phrases like, "Don't every threaten a child with something you wouldn't do" and "I feel like a beer" and in the past few years, "getting old sucks".
Her favorite color was Aqua Blue, her favorite snack was Wendy's chili, the Virgin Mary was her role model and her home was always open to anyone who wanted to visit, stay awhile or live there.  She was a champion at "giving the silent treatment."  formed bright red cheeks after a sip of wine, loved to make risque'  jokes, and in recent years became so appreciative of what others did to make her comfortable that she developed an even larger fan club than she already had.
How can such a tiny, unique gift to this world,  with the energy, pureness of heart and honesty  of a child, make such an impact?  It is no surprise that her life was spent in the service of bringing joy to all whose life she touched, with a resilient spirit that never wearied.  Her memory will live on in all of our hearts and her legacy will touch the lives of many generations to come.  The world is a more significant place because she lived.  The angels deserve a turn now, and the stars will shine a little brighter.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Grace Hospice. www.ghospice.com or a charity of your choice.