Lillian Ulrich

1924 - 2010

Lillian Ulrich October 30, 1924 - November 15, 2010 Private services will be held for the family of Lillian Ulrich, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, 86, who passed away on November 15, 2010, after a courageous battle. Lillian was the youngest of six children born to Jacob and Jewel Coulter on October 30, 1924, in Snyder, Texas. She and her family moved to Bakersfield when she was four years old. She attended Bakersfield High School. During World War II, she was among the courageous women who built aircraft for our military forces. She worked in the Defense Plant in Los Angeles, building the tail-gunner portion of the B-15 aircraft. She was honored and featured as "Rosie the Riveter" for outstanding workmanship at her Defense Plant. After the war, she worked as a model for the Schick Clothing Company. Upon returning to Bakersfield, she met and married Melvin Ulrich in 1949. They remained married until his death in 1999. Lillian was a housewife and mother for the remaining years of her life. She was active in the Lady Lions and in the Kern Dance Club. She loved to cook, sew, read, and to decorate. She was always concerned for the well-being of others and cherished her friends and family. She had a strong belief in God, and this continued throughout her life. Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; her infant son, Jacob; her sisters, Beatrice, Alta, Estelle, and Margaret; and brother, Elmer. She is survived by her two daughters, Shanna O'Brien of Capitola, and Laurie Ceccarelli and husband, Gary of Bakersfield; grandchildren, Corey Yingling of Wilmington, N.C., Amy Shefferd and husband, Denis of San Marcos, and Jacob Ceccarelli of Ann Arbor, MI; great-grandchildren, Brook and Michael Yingling and Quin Shefferd of San Marcos; and many loving friends. A special thank you to the Step Down staff of San Joaquin Community Hospital for their exceptional, loving care of our mother in her final days, especially Simone, Teresa, Susanne, Tim, Billy, and Kim, and to her dear friend Maria Gonzales. Donations may be made to San Joaquin Community Hospital Foundation, 2615 Chester Ave., or a charity of your choice. Greenlawn Mortuary www.bakersfield.com/obits