Lillian Jane Rachfal Holtz, the youngest of three siblings, was born in Detroit, MI in 1938 to parents John Rachfal and Lottie Trela Rachfal. Her father was a well-respected carpenter in the metro Detroit area with Lottie supporting all of his endeavors including making his dream come true opening Rocky's Bar in SE Detroit and obtaining a summer home in Kingsville, Ontario fondly known as, "The Cottage." John always said that Lottie's ability to maximize their money was the key to all they accomplished. Lottie passed this skill onto Lillian. Our mother could coupon clip like nobody's business. Her grocery shopping trips were strategically planned out based on sales and maximizing coupons hitting multiple stores in one morning like Farmer Jack's and Danny's and Tri-Daly's.

Lillian was a proud secretary at Wayne State University until the birth of her son, Timothy, followed by Kenneth, and Marci. This is where Lillian embraced being a true housewife of the 1960s old school style. She had a very regimented schedule that included daily phone calls to her mother and sister, cleaning and cooking, and religiously watching soap operas.

She had immense discipline when it came to her indulgences. A cigarette in the morning and one at bedtime along with her glass of wine to unwind. She later cut down to one cigarette at bedtime to be more healthy. She gave up smoking when she was in her 60s but the nightly drinks continued! She loved a solid martini, beer of all types, shots of Polish Krupnick and cheap wine!

Lillian was the queen of weeknight casseroles and other boxed meal confections when the kids were growing up. She excelled at the holidays recreating polish traditions year after year with homemade pierogies and all the complimentary dishes that accompany Christmas Eve Wigilia. Her polish meat only Easter brunch was legendary.

She was a voracious reader of romance stories, mysteries and thrillers, and was a regular patron at our local library. She adored horror movies. She loved traveling to California to visit her brother, going on cruises, and especially spending time in Las Vegas. She considered herself unlucky but loved spending time at the slot machines. At the end of her journey she would always say, "back to reality."

It should be noted the extremely close relationship to her sister, Pat. Often called "the Bobbsey twins", they were inseparable. Pat was Lillian's heart, soul and confidant her entire life. Lillian lived down the street from Pat and her family and most summer weekends were spent together at the family cottage. Our cottage porch is infamous for gossiping at all hours of the day and especially at night. Everyone was a viable target.

Speaking of the family cottage, this is where she met her true love, Thomas William Holtz, who passed away in June 1991. His family owned a cottage several houses down from hers. They met while our Dad was fixing his bike and our mom was walking by. After their first date, she told her father, "I'm going to marry this man." Tom was recruited into the Army shortly after they met and they wrote letters to each other every day for two years before his discharge. They married immediately after his return to Michigan. They enjoyed and endured all the ups and downs of marriage with our Dad being so devoted to our mom that she never put gas in a car while he was alive.

Dedicated to her family and extended family, our mother cherished all family relationships. She would always joke that her favorite was whichever child was in front of her helping out. Her hope is that her family would and will always remain close. She is survived by her three children: Tim (Shari), Ken (Jennifer), and Marci (Jason); sister, Pat, many nieces and nephews and their families that she considered to be her own children, and last but not least her grandchildren, Zachary and Julia Howes.

Lillian loved her grandchildren immensely and cherished every moment she was able to spend with them. She loved singing the song, "I love you a bushel and a peck" to both of them.

Lillian was happiest with a beer in her hand and sand in her feet sitting at the edge of our Lake Erie beach. Cheers to the years Lillian. Your kindness, your craziness, your laughter, and your love of family has touched us all and you will forever be in our hearts. Na Zdrowie Lil. Rest in Peace.

A private burial will take place at St. Hedwig Cemetery.

In the spring, a Celebration of Life will be held.

Memorial contributions can be made to Leader Dog in honor of Lillian.