Lillian

lillian
Originally uploaded by midnightskyfibers

As some of you know, my grandmother Lillian passed away Friday, May 22. Her funeral was yesterday.

Lillian Margaret Banholzer Witt
September 13, 1926 – May 22, 2009

Cherished Wife, Sister, Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma
Lillian was a lifelong resident of Woodland, Washington. Born to Swiss immigrants she didn’t learn English until she entered first grade and her teacher thought she was shy. She graduated from Woodland High School in 1944 where she made many lifelong friends and was involved in the Accordion Club, Student Council, and was Tolo Queen in 1943.
She met Vance in La Center at a Swiss community picnic in about 1942. They casually dated through high school and when he proposed to her on his 21st birthday, November 3, 1946, she didn’t say yes and didn’t say no. Instead she traveled to California to consult her sister Bertha. When she returned she still said maybe. Vance was persistent and she finally said yes. They were married March 22, 1947 in the Woodland Presbyterian Church.
She devoted her life to caring for her family and will always be remembered for being thoughtful and compassionate. She enjoyed our family gatherings, especially Thanksgiving when the entire family would gather for a day of eating, visiting, laughing and games. She never had an enemy and truly lived by the adage, “Treat others as you would want to be treated.” She took great pride in tending her garden, feeding the birds, sewing, knitting, and preparing wholesome homemade meals for her family.
Lillian’s family would like to thank Dr. Rushing and his staff at the Northwest Cancer Specialists for their compassionate and knowledgeable care. Without them, we wouldn’t have had her with us the last 5 1/2 years. We would also like to thank Hospice SW and the staff at the Ray Hickey Hospice House for making Lillian’s last weeks more comfortable and peaceful.

Lillian devoted her life to caring for her family and loved spending time with them. We could always count on her gentle smile, sparkling blue eyes and kind words. She is survived by the following family members:
Vance Witt, loving husband of 62 years, 5 children, 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren