Lillian Zonars

Lillian Zonars, age 95, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving children on October 7, 2024, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Lillian was born in 1929, Detroit, Michigan, to James and Mary Constand. She received both BA and MA from Michigan State University, where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority.
Lillian and her husband, George, and many life-long friends were active members of the group Birmingham Residents for Fair Housing, which was responsible for Ordinance 692 disallowing discrimination in sale or lease of real estate, and enacted by the Birmingham City Commission in 1967.
She served for many years on the Women's Committee at Cranbrook Art Academy and was a member of the Academy's Board of Governors. She enjoyed anything arts-related, especially those of our local community. Her employment included an independent art consultancy, and significant sales positions at Robert Kidd Gallery, Yaw Gallery, and Habatat Galleries.
Lillian was adored by most everyone who knew her or met her even just once. She lit up every room with the gracious charm and contagious cheer she brought to every occasion, including her renowned dinner parties. To paraphrase a dear friend, "Lillian, who was ever squeezing the 16th person into a table for 12." She had the uncanny ability to make anyone feel comfortable in any situation, always including, never excluding.
She is predeceased by her spouse, George Zonars, (1994), and by her sister, Diana Underhill, (2017).
She is survived by her three children, Tina Zonars, Anthea Noonan, and John Zonars, her granddaughters, Sofia Noonan and Katie Morris (Austin Morris) her nieces and nephew Athena Papageorgiou, John Underhill and Connie Hanselman, her two great grandsons, Henry and James Morris.
A memorial luncheon is being planned.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks those inclined to make a contribution to the George Zonars Memorial Scholarship at Cranbrook Academy of Art. Checks can be mailed to the Cranbrook Advancement Office, PO Box 778761, Chicago, IL 60677, or online at https://cranbrookart.edu/giving/