LUCILLE REILLY

Lucille passed away on Saturday morning, March 26, 2011, after an eight year battle with Alzheimer's. Lucille was born in Multinomah, Oregon, to Mack and Lula Ecker. In 1928 during the depression, her family moved to California and settled in Alpaugh. They moved around where work opportunities took them, and eventually claimed Sanger as their permanent residence. She worked alongside her sisters in various packing sheds in the Sanger area. She was known for her quick "packing hands". She loved to go out dancing with her sisters and close friends. It was at a dance hall in Centerville where she met Martin and later ran off to Vegas with him to get married. They were married for 62 years before she was preceded by his death last May. After marrying, she and Martin moved to Fresno and started a family as they built homes and apartments in the Fresno area. In 1965 they bought a small ranch just south of the Fresno city limits. She reluctantly moved to the ranch in 1969. It was here where she jarred hundreds of various fruits grown on the ranch. She became famous with family and friends for her persimmon cookies. The ranch allowed her many activities that she came to love including baking, gardening, and especially spending time with her grandchildren. In 2002 she and Martin moved to North Fresno to be closer to family where she was able to spend a lot of time enjoying her great grandchildren. Lucille cherished any opportunity to be with her family. Her great grandchildren were her true blessings. She especially enjoyed watching her great granddaughters dance on stage. She also looked forward to her weekly lunch date with her two sisters, Arletha and Juanita, they were referred to as the "Three Muskateers". They also took an annual gambling trip to Laughlin where they met up with their two brothers. She enjoyed church and bible study on Sundays and Sunday dinners with her family. Lucille was a very hard working, loving, giving and caring individual who will be dearly missed. She is preceded in death by Martin Ray Reilly, her husband of 62 years. Also preceded in death by her sister Juanita Martinez and brother Herbert Ecker. She is survived by her sister, Arletha Prudente of Fresno; brothers, Clarence Ecker of Arizona, and Glenn Ecker of Colorado; daughters, Shirley Beal of Madera and Diana Willimon of Plains, Ks; grandchildren, Jack and Jamie Ferri of Fresno, Duane Iler of Fresno, and Steve Iler of Plains, Ks. and by six great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Sunday, April 3, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at East Princeton Baptist Church on Monday, April 4, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery. Please send remembrances on Lucille's behalf to the Alzheimer's Organization. Condolences may be offered at www.whitehurstsullivan.com WHITEHURST Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home 1525 E. Saginaw Way Fresno (559)227-4048