Lillian Carolyn Adragna

Lillian Carolyn Adragna, age 88, passed away on January 26, 2024, with her family by her side. Lillian was born in Detroit, MI to Walter and Julia Sarowski on October 24, 1935. With the nickname of "Sissy," she grew up surrounded by a loving Polish family. As a youngster, Lillian's mother taught her to sew and bake–two things she loved to do her whole life. In High School, she was Vice President of Junior Achievement and a member of the Pershing High School choir. Lillian's first job was at a music store in Detroit when she was 16. She graduated from Pershing in 1953 and worked at Chrysler and then at FTD. Before she was married, she enjoyed trips to Florida and the Jack & Jill Dude Ranch. She was also a member of the Fair Jo's and the Circuiteers social clubs, where she met Joseph Adragna. She and Joe were married on April 4, 1964. Their first daughter, Diane was born the next year–the same year they built and moved into a new house in a young neighborhood in Warren, MI. Within the next three years, they welcomed two more daughters, Julie and Mary. Lillian managed the household while the girls were in elementary school. She was very involved with her daughters' school life, volunteering to run school events, chaperoning field trips, and helping with class projects, among other things. She was a stickler for spelling and grammar and unsympathetically corrected all of her daughters' writing assignments. Lillian's legacy of being a "tough editor" was passed onto her daughters' who now have the reputation of being relentless editors of their own children's writing (often telling them that their papers are a "total rewrite!"). Lillian loved babies and children and felt blessed that she was able to provide daycare for her great-nephew Jeffrey. She cared for him for over five years and cherished every minute of that time. When Jeff was gone, and her girls were older, Lillian took a job with the Warren Woods School district where she remained until she retired in 2000. In her retired years, Lillian took great pleasure in sewing, watching Wheel of Fortune, playing Solitaire on the Nintendo DS, and going out to dinner with Joe. Her greatest pleasure was her six grandchildren. She sewed outfits for all of them and happily imparted her sewing wisdom on them if they wanted it. Grandma Lil had her own silly sayings that her grandchildren picked up on and even turned into a book! More recently, after Lillian moved to Assisted Living, she loved to partake in the themed parties, play bingo, and socialize at mealtime. When she wasn't in the communal areas, she could be found in her apartment, doing Find-A-Word puzzles, watching TV, or beating her visiting family at Rummy! Lillian's greatest traits were her joy-of-life and the pleasure she took in everything–from a handful of jellybeans to a grandchild's all-A report card. She appreciated everyone and everything and was grateful for it all. Oftentimes, at the end of a visit from her family, she would thank them for coming. Lillian lived a modest life, never asking for more than health and happiness. She left a legacy of joy, love, and laughter that will live on through everyone whose life she touched.
Lillian was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Joseph, her parents Walter and Julia Sarowski, and her brother Martin Sarowski. She is survived by her loving daughters Diane (Steven) Brinker, Julie (Philip) Insalaco, and Mary Jo (James) Wallace; her adored grandchildren Caroline (Zachary), Alexandra (Frank), Sabrina, Megan, Lily, and Garrett; sister Loretta (late Hugh) Miles, brother Thomas (Nancy) Sarowski, and sister-in-law Stacey Sarowski.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 30, 4pm-8pm, at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Rd., Troy, 48084.
Funeral Mass will take place Wednesday, January 31, 11am, at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 581 E. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson. Visitation at church begins 10:30am.
Memorial donations in Lillian's name can be made to: American Heart Association or Michigan Humane.