Obituary for Joan Marie Lillie (Nefske)
Joan Marie Lillie, age 68, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2019, at her home of 46 years.
Joan was born in 1951 in Detroit, Michigan. She was adopted by her loving parents at the age of 3 and was raised in Detroit and Brighton Michigan until she graduated from Brighton High School in 1969. Joan went on to explore college at Eastern Michigan University and life in the Ann Arbor area where she met the love of her life. She and Rob were married in 1972 and went on to have four wonderful children. While raising her family, Joan spent several years as an in-home daycare provider. She later went back to school and graduated from Specs Howard School of Broadcasting Arts in 1988 with a Radio and Television Degree. She accepted a position at Time Warner Cable in Farmington Hills as a production specialist, where she enjoyed using her creative skills to help members of the community create their own TV shows. Of all her many jobs, she was most passionate about working at the MDen Store inside U of M’s,” The Big House” from 1999-2018. Joan looked forward to each home game and sharing her love of U of M football with the fans every week. GO BLUE!
In her free time, Joan enjoyed volunteering at the Ann Arbor Kiwanis Thrift Store, an activity that her dear friends Ralph and Glenda involved her in. She also loved playing volleyball with the neighbors, monthly Bunco with “The Bunco Babes”, golfing, travelling and spending time with her family.
Joan lived her life to the fullest every day. She loved to laugh and make memories with her family and friends and always loved with her whole heart.
Joan will be sorely missed by her loving husband of 47 years, Robert A. Lillie II; her children, Jeffrey (Pam) Lillie, Robert A. (Myriah) Lillie III, K.C. (Mel) Hudson and Peter Lillie (Becky Raebel); her beloved grandchildren, Madi, Abby, Kate, Drew, Robert IV, Tommy and Connor; her mother, Sylvia Nefske; brothers, Richard and Kenneth; and brother and sisters-in-law, David, Patricia and Christine; amongst many other beloved family and friends. She is preceded in death by her father, Robert Nefske; her father and mother-in-law, Robert and Margaret Lillie; and her brother-in-law, Michael Lillie.
A memorial gathering will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 4:30pm until the time of the service at 7pm at Nie Family Funeral; 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
In lieu of flowers, Joan would want you to spend more time with family and friends, give unsolicited and unsuspected acts of kindness to others and take time to reflect on the wonders of life’s blessings. Any monetary donations will be collected by the family and donated to the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor Foundation, Inc. (The Kiwanis Center, 100 North Staebler Road, Suite C, Ann Arbor, MI 48103-9755) in Joan’s name. All family and friends are welcome to attend and celebrate Joan's life.
Joan was born in 1951 in Detroit, Michigan. She was adopted by her loving parents at the age of 3 and was raised in Detroit and Brighton Michigan until she graduated from Brighton High School in 1969. Joan went on to explore college at Eastern Michigan University and life in the Ann Arbor area where she met the love of her life. She and Rob were married in 1972 and went on to have four wonderful children. While raising her family, Joan spent several years as an in-home daycare provider. She later went back to school and graduated from Specs Howard School of Broadcasting Arts in 1988 with a Radio and Television Degree. She accepted a position at Time Warner Cable in Farmington Hills as a production specialist, where she enjoyed using her creative skills to help members of the community create their own TV shows. Of all her many jobs, she was most passionate about working at the MDen Store inside U of M’s,” The Big House” from 1999-2018. Joan looked forward to each home game and sharing her love of U of M football with the fans every week. GO BLUE!
In her free time, Joan enjoyed volunteering at the Ann Arbor Kiwanis Thrift Store, an activity that her dear friends Ralph and Glenda involved her in. She also loved playing volleyball with the neighbors, monthly Bunco with “The Bunco Babes”, golfing, travelling and spending time with her family.
Joan lived her life to the fullest every day. She loved to laugh and make memories with her family and friends and always loved with her whole heart.
Joan will be sorely missed by her loving husband of 47 years, Robert A. Lillie II; her children, Jeffrey (Pam) Lillie, Robert A. (Myriah) Lillie III, K.C. (Mel) Hudson and Peter Lillie (Becky Raebel); her beloved grandchildren, Madi, Abby, Kate, Drew, Robert IV, Tommy and Connor; her mother, Sylvia Nefske; brothers, Richard and Kenneth; and brother and sisters-in-law, David, Patricia and Christine; amongst many other beloved family and friends. She is preceded in death by her father, Robert Nefske; her father and mother-in-law, Robert and Margaret Lillie; and her brother-in-law, Michael Lillie.
A memorial gathering will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 4:30pm until the time of the service at 7pm at Nie Family Funeral; 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
In lieu of flowers, Joan would want you to spend more time with family and friends, give unsolicited and unsuspected acts of kindness to others and take time to reflect on the wonders of life’s blessings. Any monetary donations will be collected by the family and donated to the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor Foundation, Inc. (The Kiwanis Center, 100 North Staebler Road, Suite C, Ann Arbor, MI 48103-9755) in Joan’s name. All family and friends are welcome to attend and celebrate Joan's life.