Irene Gabriel Lilly

Irene Gabriel Lilly, 93, a long time resident of Fox Lake passed away peacefully at home on June 12, 2011. She was born on Dec. 27, 1917 in Chicago to Frank and Amelia (nee Assa) Koeller. Irene loved life and lived it fully. She enjoyed traveling to faraway places such as China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Pacific Islands and more. In the 1950s, Irene became a private pilot with an instrument rating and a night rating. She logged many happy hours flying her own plane with her husband, Adam, also a private pilot. She served as both Vice President and then President of the Chicago area chapter of The 99's, a women's flying organization founded by Amelia Earhart. She will be remembered lovingly and sorely missed by loving daughters, Judith Irene McGowan and Amelia Ann (John A.) Medved; her eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and by her four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Adam Frank Gabriel; and then her second husband, Col. Grady Lilly; her son Joseph Adam Gabriel; by her parents; and brothers, Edward and James Koeller. Services and interment will be private.