Lillian Patricia Martell

Lillian Martell, age 91 of Sterling Heights, Michigan, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on October 17, 2024. Beloved wife of the late William "Bill". She is survived by her children Cheryl (Thaddeus) Balmas and Lynn (Jeff) Herman and Grandchildren Sarah (Jamie), Erin (Laura), Dillon (Tim), Cassandra (Andrew) and Briana (Chris). Lillian is preceded in death by her parents Charles and Marcellina Aranzo and siblings Alice (Fred), Lucy (Sidney), Charles Jr., and Grandson Dustin. Lillian was born and raised in West Warwick, RI. She met the love of her life, Bill, who was in the Navy and stationed at Quonset Point, RI. They married in 1955 and settled in Detroit where Bill hailed from. You can take the girl out of New England but you can’t take the New England out of the girl. Even after 64 years in Michigan, everyone still asked about her East Coast 'accent'. She loved seafood, the ocean, coffee ice cream, and visiting loved ones 'back home'. Lillian enjoyed her independence, and at 91 lived on her own, while still driving, shopping, and cooking for herself. Because of her youthful activity and appearance, people often questioned her age, thinking she was much younger. She loved hearing that! She loved to travel. Some of her favorite trips were cruises, all inclusive beach resorts, Switzerland, England, Austria and of course the New England states. She also enjoyed the occasional day trip to the casino. She especially loved traveling with her family and enjoyed many 'mini' vacations with her daughters. As a younger married woman she enjoyed bowling, playing softball and cross country skiing. She enjoyed many good times with her girlfriends and their 'card club' where they spent more time laughing and eating than they did playing cards. Lillian devoted seven years of her life caring for her husband Bill during a long term illness. Her devotion to caring for Bill did not go unnoticed by family and hospital staff and she will forever be his 'Nurse Lillian' and Florence Nightingale. They are together now for eternity. Above all, Lillian loved spending time with her family. She was generous with her time and her many thoughtful and luxurious gifts over the years. She was a great cook and an avid shopper with excellent taste and a sense of style. She loved to dance and laugh and could have a wicked sense of humor, sometimes surprising her family or friends in a clown wig and nose. She dearly loved her friends, siblings, brothers and sister in laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. In recent years she enjoyed reading, watching the Twilight series and professional tennis, and dog sitting for her grandchildren’s pets. But she never turned down an opportunity to go out for the day with her daughters. Her grandchildren meant the world to her. She will be dearly missed by many, especially her family, and holidays won’t be the same without her. May she rest in eternal peace with loved ones. Visitation is at 10am Tuesday, October 22nd until the 12 noon service at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons. 45880 Van Dyke Ave. (Shelby Twp.). Memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Lillian's name are appreciated. Share memories with the family at their “on-line guestbook” @ WujekCalcaterra.com

Lillian Patricia Martell

March 17, 1933 - October 17, 2024