Lillian Helen Faska Whitfield

Lillian Helen Faska WHITFIELD Lillian passed peacefully on Feb. 18th at age 90 of complications from a series of strokes. She was born in Pennsylvania the third of four chil dren of Paul and Helen Faska. Lillian is the last of the siblings to pass, as her older sister and our be loved Aunt Blanche passed away in January. Lillians's parents emigrat ed separately from Hungary, met and were married. Lillian was very proud of her Hungarian heritage, and that her father was a Lutheran minister, serving congregations in Western Pennsylvania. Life changed dramatically for her at age thirteen when her father died suddenly while giving a sermon. Her mother was left to raise four children in the depth of the Depression, so they moved to Ohio to be close to family, and our connection to Cleveland began. Lillian's luckiest lifetime moment was in 1943 when she and a cousin went to downtown Cleveland for the Fourth of July Parade. There she met a soldier from Texas who was the sweetest man she would ever know, our Dad, Woodrow Whitfield. Thus began a 65 year loving relation ship and a very good life. Married in 1944 prior to Dad being posted in France during WW II, Lillian began her career in banking. On Woody's return they settled into civilian life and their first child Paul was born in 1946, followed by Tom in 1950. The family moved to Seattle in 1954 when Woody was transferred to take over the Ice Cream Division of Safeway Stores. Lillian fell head over heels in love with Seattle and the Northwest, a love only surpassed by her love for University of Washington sports. She was a devoted football season ticket holder for 57 years and also had Husky Women's Basketball sea son tickets. Lillian was quite complex and yet in many ways simple. She was bright, smart and quick witted. Up for any party, a worshiper of the sun, you would always find her well dressed and with a smile. Nordstrom stock may take a dive now that she is no longer shopping. She was a devoted Lutheran and a life long Republican. She and Dad traveled often, perhaps enjoying most their annal month- long trips to Maui. Lillian's faith was her rock and foun dation, but family meant more to her than anything. She loved and sup ported her family with a passion, and felt an obligation to teach manners and to participate in shaping her ex tended family's lives. She greatly en joyed living at Bay View Manor on Queen Anne, and loved her "million dollar view" from her apartment. She is survived by sons Paul (Carol) and Tom (Gail), her eight grandchil dren Jason Johnson, Allyson (Whit field) Gwaltney, Elizabeth (John son) Vo, Paul David Whitfield, Sarah Whitfield, David Whitfield, Donald Adams, Benjamin Adams, and her seven great grandchildren. A memorial service and celebration of a great life will be held 11 am Friday March 18th (her 91st Birth day) at Queen Anne Lutheran Church, 2400 8th Ave West. Recep tion following.