At the age of 111 years and 112 days, Bertha Lilly was Michigan's oldest person, one of the oldest in the nation, and possibly 44th oldest in the world.
From horses and buggies to automobiles, airplanes, and even space travel, Bertha Cooney Lilly was an eyewitness to many advances during her lifetime. When the Wright brothers made their first flight on the beach at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903, Bertha was seven years old. When Henry Ford changed the world in 1909 with the debut of his affordable ($825) Model T roadster and the invention of the assembly line, Bertha was twelve years old.
In Shiawassee County, Michigan, lies the legendary railroad town of Durand. Durand is southwest of Owosso and almost midway between Flint and Lansing. The small, rural town served as the railroad hub of mid-Michigan. Patrick Henry Cooney was a railroad man who settled there with his lovely wife, Margaret Hynes Cooney, a schoolteacher. It was in the community of Durand that Margaret gave birth to a daughter on September 9, 1896. The couple christened their sweet baby with the name Bertha Mary.
Bertha was one of eight siblings. She had six sisters: Elizabeth (Lynd), Mary Paula (IHM), Bernice (Lewis), Dot (Felt), Margaret (Deederly) and Clare (VanLoozen-Parity). Her only brother was Joseph Cooney.
One of Bertha's older sisters became her teacher in school. Bertha was less than thrilled to have her sister as the teacher! Bertha went on to what is now known as Wayne State University after she graduated from Blessed Sacrament High School in Highland Park. This was in a day when few women went on to study at institutions of higher learning. Many of her contemporaries were happy with a grade school education. Bertha earned her teaching certificate and embarked on a career in teaching, as her mother and her sister had done. She taught at both Garfield School and Healy School in the Detroit area.
It was through her brother Joseph that Bertha met the young man whom she would eventually marry. In those days, the same parish priest served both the parish in Durand and the one in Coldwater. Joe was an altar boy at the church in Durand, but the priest often brought along the altar boy from his Coldwater church. The young man's name was Charles Lilly; he and Joe became good friends.
On September 2, 1920, Bertha and Charles were joined in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Durand. The young couple honeymooned at a lakeside cottage. That first morning of their married life, Bertha decided to prepare breakfast for her new husband. Charles was visiting with a neighbor on the beach when he heard Bertha call out from the door of their cottage, "How do I boil coffee?"
Charles and Bertha made their first home in Highland Park, Michigan, while Charles was attending medical school. Their marriage was blessed with six wonderful children: Joanna, Richard, Robert, Margaret, Phyllis and Ellen. The two boys and Margaret would later follow their father into the field of medicine.
Bertha was not only a devoted wife and mother, she was active in the service of her church and her community. During World War II, she worked with the Red Cross, serving sandwiches to the troops. She was President of the Mother's Club at University of Detroit High School and she volunteered at Providence Hospital.
The greatest joy in Bertha's life was her family. She promoted family closeness with regular Sunday get-togethers. When the love of her life died in 1962, Bertha never remarried. She devoted her time and her energy to her family. She had 44 grandchildren. On family vacations at the lake cottage, Bertha would sit with her back to the lake because she said that it made her too nervous to try keeping track of the 44 youngsters cavorting in the water! Bertha's family would come to include 104 great grandchildren and even two great-great grandchildren. She was so proud of her large brood and she loved each and every one of them. Her grandchildren fondly recall the marvelous fudge and punch that she would make for them at Christmas time. They could always count on Nana to have a whole buffet of goodies at her place. The family would come and go all day long.
When not serving others, Bertha enjoyed participating in book and bridge clubs. She traveled extensively, holding the distinction of visiting every state in the United States. Bertha considered herself fortunate to have had the opportunity to make several trips to Europe and one to Japan. She also enjoyed bowling, a pastime that she continued into her 80s. Bertha did not stop driving until she was 90 and continued to play bridge until she was 110.
At the age of 111 years and 112 days, Bertha Mary Cooney Lilly went to be with her Lord on December 30, 2007. Her loving daughters Joanna (John) Steele, Phyllis (Robert) McClain and Ellen (Richard) Kramer will miss her dearly. Bertha leaves a host of cherished descendants: 44 grandchildren, 104 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and her dear daughter-in-law, Dianne Lilly.
Bertha's devoted husband, Dr. Charles J. Lilly, M.D., preceded her in death, as did her sons, Dr. Richard Lilly, M.D., and Dr. Robert Lilly, M.D., and her daughter, Mardy Steele. One of Bertha's grandsons, James Kramer, has also passed on to his eternal reward.
Visitation: Wednesday, January 2, 2008, from 3-9 p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. Instate: Thursday, January 3, 2008, at St. Fabian Catholic Church, 32200 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, from 10:00 a.m. until the celebration of the Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 AM.
Interment: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 25800 W. 10 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Fabian Catholic School or to the Sisters of Notre Dame.
From horses and buggies to automobiles, airplanes, and even space travel, Bertha Cooney Lilly was an eyewitness to many advances during her lifetime. When the Wright brothers made their first flight on the beach at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903, Bertha was seven years old. When Henry Ford changed the world in 1909 with the debut of his affordable ($825) Model T roadster and the invention of the assembly line, Bertha was twelve years old.
In Shiawassee County, Michigan, lies the legendary railroad town of Durand. Durand is southwest of Owosso and almost midway between Flint and Lansing. The small, rural town served as the railroad hub of mid-Michigan. Patrick Henry Cooney was a railroad man who settled there with his lovely wife, Margaret Hynes Cooney, a schoolteacher. It was in the community of Durand that Margaret gave birth to a daughter on September 9, 1896. The couple christened their sweet baby with the name Bertha Mary.
Bertha was one of eight siblings. She had six sisters: Elizabeth (Lynd), Mary Paula (IHM), Bernice (Lewis), Dot (Felt), Margaret (Deederly) and Clare (VanLoozen-Parity). Her only brother was Joseph Cooney.
One of Bertha's older sisters became her teacher in school. Bertha was less than thrilled to have her sister as the teacher! Bertha went on to what is now known as Wayne State University after she graduated from Blessed Sacrament High School in Highland Park. This was in a day when few women went on to study at institutions of higher learning. Many of her contemporaries were happy with a grade school education. Bertha earned her teaching certificate and embarked on a career in teaching, as her mother and her sister had done. She taught at both Garfield School and Healy School in the Detroit area.
It was through her brother Joseph that Bertha met the young man whom she would eventually marry. In those days, the same parish priest served both the parish in Durand and the one in Coldwater. Joe was an altar boy at the church in Durand, but the priest often brought along the altar boy from his Coldwater church. The young man's name was Charles Lilly; he and Joe became good friends.
On September 2, 1920, Bertha and Charles were joined in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Durand. The young couple honeymooned at a lakeside cottage. That first morning of their married life, Bertha decided to prepare breakfast for her new husband. Charles was visiting with a neighbor on the beach when he heard Bertha call out from the door of their cottage, "How do I boil coffee?"
Charles and Bertha made their first home in Highland Park, Michigan, while Charles was attending medical school. Their marriage was blessed with six wonderful children: Joanna, Richard, Robert, Margaret, Phyllis and Ellen. The two boys and Margaret would later follow their father into the field of medicine.
Bertha was not only a devoted wife and mother, she was active in the service of her church and her community. During World War II, she worked with the Red Cross, serving sandwiches to the troops. She was President of the Mother's Club at University of Detroit High School and she volunteered at Providence Hospital.
The greatest joy in Bertha's life was her family. She promoted family closeness with regular Sunday get-togethers. When the love of her life died in 1962, Bertha never remarried. She devoted her time and her energy to her family. She had 44 grandchildren. On family vacations at the lake cottage, Bertha would sit with her back to the lake because she said that it made her too nervous to try keeping track of the 44 youngsters cavorting in the water! Bertha's family would come to include 104 great grandchildren and even two great-great grandchildren. She was so proud of her large brood and she loved each and every one of them. Her grandchildren fondly recall the marvelous fudge and punch that she would make for them at Christmas time. They could always count on Nana to have a whole buffet of goodies at her place. The family would come and go all day long.
When not serving others, Bertha enjoyed participating in book and bridge clubs. She traveled extensively, holding the distinction of visiting every state in the United States. Bertha considered herself fortunate to have had the opportunity to make several trips to Europe and one to Japan. She also enjoyed bowling, a pastime that she continued into her 80s. Bertha did not stop driving until she was 90 and continued to play bridge until she was 110.
At the age of 111 years and 112 days, Bertha Mary Cooney Lilly went to be with her Lord on December 30, 2007. Her loving daughters Joanna (John) Steele, Phyllis (Robert) McClain and Ellen (Richard) Kramer will miss her dearly. Bertha leaves a host of cherished descendants: 44 grandchildren, 104 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and her dear daughter-in-law, Dianne Lilly.
Bertha's devoted husband, Dr. Charles J. Lilly, M.D., preceded her in death, as did her sons, Dr. Richard Lilly, M.D., and Dr. Robert Lilly, M.D., and her daughter, Mardy Steele. One of Bertha's grandsons, James Kramer, has also passed on to his eternal reward.
Visitation: Wednesday, January 2, 2008, from 3-9 p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. Instate: Thursday, January 3, 2008, at St. Fabian Catholic Church, 32200 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, from 10:00 a.m. until the celebration of the Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 AM.
Interment: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 25800 W. 10 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Fabian Catholic School or to the Sisters of Notre Dame.
At the age of 111 years and 112 days, Bertha Lilly was Michigan's oldest person, one of the oldest in the nation, and possibly 44th oldest in the world.
From horses and buggies to automobiles, airplanes, and even space travel, Bertha Cooney Lilly was an eyewitness to many advances during her lifetime. When the Wright brothers made their first flight on the beach at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903, Bertha was seven years old. When Henry Ford changed the world in 1909 with the debut of his affordable ($825) Model T roadster and the invention of the assembly line, Bertha was twelve years old.
In Shiawassee County, Michigan, lies the legendary railroad town of Durand. Durand is southwest of Owosso and almost midway between Flint and Lansing. The small, rural town served as the railroad hub of mid-Michigan. Patrick Henry Cooney was a railroad man who settled there with his lovely wife, Margaret Hynes Cooney, a schoolteacher. It was in the community of Durand that Margaret gave birth to a daughter on September 9, 1896. The couple christened their sweet baby with the name Bertha Mary.
Bertha was one of eight siblings. She had six sisters: Elizabeth (Lynd), Mary Paula (IHM), Bernice (Lewis), Dot (Felt), Margaret (Deederly) and Clare (VanLoozen-Parity). Her only brother was Joseph Cooney.
One of Bertha's older sisters became her teacher in school. Bertha was less than thrilled to have her sister as the teacher! Bertha went on to what is now known as Wayne State University after she graduated from Blessed Sacrament High School in Highland Park. This was in a day when few women went on to study at institutions of higher learning. Many of her contemporaries were happy with a grade school education. Bertha earned her teaching certificate and embarked on a career in teaching, as her mother and her sister had done. She taught at both Garfield School and Healy School in the Detroit area.
It was through her brother Joseph that Bertha met the young man whom she would eventually marry. In those days, the same parish priest served both the parish in Durand and the one in Coldwater. Joe was an altar boy at the church in Durand, but the priest often brought along the altar boy from his Coldwater church. The young man's name was Charles Lilly; he and Joe became good friends.
On September 2, 1920, Bertha and Charles were joined in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Durand. The young couple honeymooned at a lakeside cottage. That first morning of their married life, Bertha decided to prepare breakfast for her new husband. Charles was visiting with a neighbor on the beach when he heard Bertha call out from the door of their cottage, "How do I boil coffee?"
Charles and Bertha made their first home in Highland Park, Michigan, while Charles was attending medical school. Their marriage was blessed with six wonderful children: Joanna, Richard, Robert, Margaret, Phyllis and Ellen. The two boys and Margaret would later follow their father into the field of medicine.
Bertha was not only a devoted wife and mother, she was active in the service of her church and her community. During World War II, she worked with the Red Cross, serving sandwiches to the troops. She was President of the Mother's Club at University of Detroit High School and she volunteered at Providence Hospital.
The greatest joy in Bertha's life was her family. She promoted family closeness with regular Sunday get-togethers. When the love of her life died in 1962, Bertha never remarried. She devoted her time and her energy to her family. She had 44 grandchildren. On family vacations at the lake cottage, Bertha would sit with her back to the lake because she said that it made her too nervous to try keeping track of the 44 youngsters cavorting in the water! Bertha's family would come to include 104 great grandchildren and even two great-great grandchildren. She was so proud of her large brood and she loved each and every one of them. Her grandchildren fondly recall the marvelous fudge and punch that she would make for them at Christmas time. They could always count on Nana to have a whole buffet of goodies at her place. The family would come and go all day long.
When not serving others, Bertha enjoyed participating in book and bridge clubs. She traveled extensively, holding the distinction of visiting every state in the United States. Bertha considered herself fortunate to have had the opportunity to make several trips to Europe and one to Japan. She also enjoyed bowling, a pastime that she continued into her 80s. Bertha did not stop driving until she was 90 and continued to play bridge until she was 110.
At the age of 111 years and 112 days, Bertha Mary Cooney Lilly went to be with her Lord on December 30, 2007. Her loving daughters Joanna (John) Steele, Phyllis (Robert) McClain and Ellen (Richard) Kramer will miss her dearly. Bertha leaves a host of cherished descendants: 44 grandchildren, 104 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and her dear daughter-in-law, Dianne Lilly.
Bertha's devoted husband, Dr. Charles J. Lilly, M.D., preceded her in death, as did her sons, Dr. Richard Lilly, M.D., and Dr. Robert Lilly, M.D., and her daughter, Mardy Steele. One of Bertha's grandsons, James Kramer, has also passed on to his eternal reward.
Visitation: Wednesday, January 2, 2008, from 3-9 p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. Instate: Thursday, January 3, 2008, at St. Fabian Catholic Church, 32200 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, from 10:00 a.m. until the celebration of the Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 AM.
Interment: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 25800 W. 10 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Fabian Catholic School or to the Sisters of Notre Dame.
From horses and buggies to automobiles, airplanes, and even space travel, Bertha Cooney Lilly was an eyewitness to many advances during her lifetime. When the Wright brothers made their first flight on the beach at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903, Bertha was seven years old. When Henry Ford changed the world in 1909 with the debut of his affordable ($825) Model T roadster and the invention of the assembly line, Bertha was twelve years old.
In Shiawassee County, Michigan, lies the legendary railroad town of Durand. Durand is southwest of Owosso and almost midway between Flint and Lansing. The small, rural town served as the railroad hub of mid-Michigan. Patrick Henry Cooney was a railroad man who settled there with his lovely wife, Margaret Hynes Cooney, a schoolteacher. It was in the community of Durand that Margaret gave birth to a daughter on September 9, 1896. The couple christened their sweet baby with the name Bertha Mary.
Bertha was one of eight siblings. She had six sisters: Elizabeth (Lynd), Mary Paula (IHM), Bernice (Lewis), Dot (Felt), Margaret (Deederly) and Clare (VanLoozen-Parity). Her only brother was Joseph Cooney.
One of Bertha's older sisters became her teacher in school. Bertha was less than thrilled to have her sister as the teacher! Bertha went on to what is now known as Wayne State University after she graduated from Blessed Sacrament High School in Highland Park. This was in a day when few women went on to study at institutions of higher learning. Many of her contemporaries were happy with a grade school education. Bertha earned her teaching certificate and embarked on a career in teaching, as her mother and her sister had done. She taught at both Garfield School and Healy School in the Detroit area.
It was through her brother Joseph that Bertha met the young man whom she would eventually marry. In those days, the same parish priest served both the parish in Durand and the one in Coldwater. Joe was an altar boy at the church in Durand, but the priest often brought along the altar boy from his Coldwater church. The young man's name was Charles Lilly; he and Joe became good friends.
On September 2, 1920, Bertha and Charles were joined in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Durand. The young couple honeymooned at a lakeside cottage. That first morning of their married life, Bertha decided to prepare breakfast for her new husband. Charles was visiting with a neighbor on the beach when he heard Bertha call out from the door of their cottage, "How do I boil coffee?"
Charles and Bertha made their first home in Highland Park, Michigan, while Charles was attending medical school. Their marriage was blessed with six wonderful children: Joanna, Richard, Robert, Margaret, Phyllis and Ellen. The two boys and Margaret would later follow their father into the field of medicine.
Bertha was not only a devoted wife and mother, she was active in the service of her church and her community. During World War II, she worked with the Red Cross, serving sandwiches to the troops. She was President of the Mother's Club at University of Detroit High School and she volunteered at Providence Hospital.
The greatest joy in Bertha's life was her family. She promoted family closeness with regular Sunday get-togethers. When the love of her life died in 1962, Bertha never remarried. She devoted her time and her energy to her family. She had 44 grandchildren. On family vacations at the lake cottage, Bertha would sit with her back to the lake because she said that it made her too nervous to try keeping track of the 44 youngsters cavorting in the water! Bertha's family would come to include 104 great grandchildren and even two great-great grandchildren. She was so proud of her large brood and she loved each and every one of them. Her grandchildren fondly recall the marvelous fudge and punch that she would make for them at Christmas time. They could always count on Nana to have a whole buffet of goodies at her place. The family would come and go all day long.
When not serving others, Bertha enjoyed participating in book and bridge clubs. She traveled extensively, holding the distinction of visiting every state in the United States. Bertha considered herself fortunate to have had the opportunity to make several trips to Europe and one to Japan. She also enjoyed bowling, a pastime that she continued into her 80s. Bertha did not stop driving until she was 90 and continued to play bridge until she was 110.
At the age of 111 years and 112 days, Bertha Mary Cooney Lilly went to be with her Lord on December 30, 2007. Her loving daughters Joanna (John) Steele, Phyllis (Robert) McClain and Ellen (Richard) Kramer will miss her dearly. Bertha leaves a host of cherished descendants: 44 grandchildren, 104 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and her dear daughter-in-law, Dianne Lilly.
Bertha's devoted husband, Dr. Charles J. Lilly, M.D., preceded her in death, as did her sons, Dr. Richard Lilly, M.D., and Dr. Robert Lilly, M.D., and her daughter, Mardy Steele. One of Bertha's grandsons, James Kramer, has also passed on to his eternal reward.
Visitation: Wednesday, January 2, 2008, from 3-9 p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. Instate: Thursday, January 3, 2008, at St. Fabian Catholic Church, 32200 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, from 10:00 a.m. until the celebration of the Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 AM.
Interment: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 25800 W. 10 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Fabian Catholic School or to the Sisters of Notre Dame.
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