Obituary of Liboria Zawilski

Liboria Zawilski, known to many as Lillian, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on January 19, 2019 after 99 years of life.

Preceded in death by her husband Michael, she is survived by her children Frances and Anthony, daughter-in-law Gloria, nieces Mary, Jacqueline, and Patricia, brother-in-law Jack, as well as great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Liboria’s life spanned a swath of history running from a childhood in New York City in the Roaring Twenties and Great Depression to a marriage at the end of World War II growing into the role of working suburban housewife during the 50’s and 60’s. She worked many years as an electronics assembler and doing precision microscope work.

She had many interests and adventures during her life. As a child she worked with her family in her father’s fish store, helped care for her invalid grandfather, won a gold medal for her basketball talent in school, then enjoyed horseback riding in Prospect Park with her friends, and worked in defense plants during the war. She loved being part of the local community as it grew, working on the Plainedge Library memorial quilt and doing community service through the Homemakers’ Council for over 20 years. She was an accomplished seamstress, knitter, quilter, and crocheter.

She enjoyed annual family summer vacations, riding long hours in a car (without air-conditioning!) to see the uncommon and beautiful areas of the U.S. and she had a lifelong love of chocolate and angels.

Petite in stature, Liboria had an inner core of strength that let her live independently for many years after the death of Michael. Her family physician once described her as “the most strongest person” he knew. Her marriage and children were core to her life. She and Michael worked hard and scrimped on many things to provide a happy, loving home for them. She overcame health struggles in her later years never losing her bright laugh and enthusiasm for life. She touched many people providing love, comfort, and straightforward advice to those who needed it, when they needed it.

A life this long cannot be summed up in a few words, nor should it be. Liboria was a special person, a loved Mom and Auntie, an intelligent, industrious, and strong woman, and someone who will be remembered and missed by many. May God bless and keep her as she joins Michael in heaven.