Obituary for Lillian Hildegard Chmielewski (Sievers)
Lillian Hildegard Sievers Chmielewski
Born 1/12/1928 in Brooklyn, New York to Hans Emil Sievers and Hildegard Sophie A. Sievers.
She graduated Bassick High School in Bridgeport, CT in 1945 and graduated from Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing in 1948 which included the study of Nursing in Atomic Disaster. After graduation, she was a Senior Cadet nurse in Batavia, New York, and then a Registered Nurse at the V.A. Hospital in Bronx, New York.
While working at the V.A., Lillian met the love of her life, Alexander Vincent Chmielewski, and in March of 1951 they were married at the famous "Little Church Around The Corner" in Manhattan, NY. Together they built their first home in Trumbull, CT doing the majority of the work themselves. Lillian often joked "Alex must have thought he married his brother" because he secured her to the ridge beam of the house as they installed the roof together. They loved traveling across the United States and Europe, and truly enjoyed antiquing and going to auctions. Lillian especially loved Carnival Glass and kerosene lamps. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in 2012 before Alex passed away.
Lillian and Alex had 3 children, Paul Daniel, Diana Lynn, and Kim Alison. Lillian was extremely active in her children's lives. They traveled all 50 states and camped in most of the major National Parks. She worked many "grave yard shifts" as a nurse and then spent the very next day driving a 27 foot boat so her children could water ski and fish. For two years, she drove Paul one hour each way to a unique vocational agricultural high school. She was instrumental in insuring Diana was able to perform in the Drum & Bugle Corp as well as attend ballet and art classes. Kim received horse riding lessons for her 7th birthday, and Lillian traveled with 11 year old Kim from Connecticut to Ocala, FL to buy her first Thoroughbred and later to Saratoga Springs to buy their second one. On their greatest equine adventure, they traveled by RV to Virginia for the Chincoteague Pony Swim where Lillian surprised them all by winning a bid on a young foal. They transported their new wild pony home via RV back to Connecticut where they kept the pony in the garage for over a week.
Lillian was a practicing Registered Nurse into her mid 80's. Her most favorite assignment was at Lord Chamberlain IHCF & SNF in Stratford, CT where she served as the Director of Nurses for 13 years. She took great pride in her work and was determined that her residents would receive exceptional care and that her staff would be treated fairly. She was highly respected by the owners of the facility, the staff, and the families of the residents.
Along with being a nurse, Lillian was a Tupperware lady, sold Patricia Gaile Costmetics, owned a pop-up camper rental business which transformed to a Christmas store each year, and did medical chart reviews for a local law firm. Believe it or not, as an 88 year old, she worked along side her son as a driver for the company "Designated Driver" and helped insure hundreds of people arrived home safely instead of driving home alcohol impaired.
Lillian and Alex moved to Georgia in the early 1990's to be near their children and grandchildren. Lillian designed and helped build their new home as well as their barn and paddocks. Lillian dearly loved her grandchildren and took great pride in helping with them whenever she could.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 AM, on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, from the Antioch Christian Church with Pastor Ken May officiating. Interment will follow at Georgia National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday, October 25, 2021, and from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, October 26, 2021, at South Canton Funeral Home.
Lillian is preceded in death by her loving husband Alex. Her survivors include son Paul Chmielewski, daughter Diana Willis (Henry), daughter Kim Chmielewski (Karan Mason), Grandchildren Justin Chmielewski, Carissa Willis, Connor Chmielewski, Sean Willis, and great grandchildren Laiken, Landon, and Marcus.
In lieu of flowers, please help her family give a surprise monetary gift to a local nursing student in memory of Lillian. Please speak with daughter Kim for more information.
South Canton Funeral Home, dedicated to the families we serve, 770-479-3377. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.thescfh.com
Born 1/12/1928 in Brooklyn, New York to Hans Emil Sievers and Hildegard Sophie A. Sievers.
She graduated Bassick High School in Bridgeport, CT in 1945 and graduated from Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing in 1948 which included the study of Nursing in Atomic Disaster. After graduation, she was a Senior Cadet nurse in Batavia, New York, and then a Registered Nurse at the V.A. Hospital in Bronx, New York.
While working at the V.A., Lillian met the love of her life, Alexander Vincent Chmielewski, and in March of 1951 they were married at the famous "Little Church Around The Corner" in Manhattan, NY. Together they built their first home in Trumbull, CT doing the majority of the work themselves. Lillian often joked "Alex must have thought he married his brother" because he secured her to the ridge beam of the house as they installed the roof together. They loved traveling across the United States and Europe, and truly enjoyed antiquing and going to auctions. Lillian especially loved Carnival Glass and kerosene lamps. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in 2012 before Alex passed away.
Lillian and Alex had 3 children, Paul Daniel, Diana Lynn, and Kim Alison. Lillian was extremely active in her children's lives. They traveled all 50 states and camped in most of the major National Parks. She worked many "grave yard shifts" as a nurse and then spent the very next day driving a 27 foot boat so her children could water ski and fish. For two years, she drove Paul one hour each way to a unique vocational agricultural high school. She was instrumental in insuring Diana was able to perform in the Drum & Bugle Corp as well as attend ballet and art classes. Kim received horse riding lessons for her 7th birthday, and Lillian traveled with 11 year old Kim from Connecticut to Ocala, FL to buy her first Thoroughbred and later to Saratoga Springs to buy their second one. On their greatest equine adventure, they traveled by RV to Virginia for the Chincoteague Pony Swim where Lillian surprised them all by winning a bid on a young foal. They transported their new wild pony home via RV back to Connecticut where they kept the pony in the garage for over a week.
Lillian was a practicing Registered Nurse into her mid 80's. Her most favorite assignment was at Lord Chamberlain IHCF & SNF in Stratford, CT where she served as the Director of Nurses for 13 years. She took great pride in her work and was determined that her residents would receive exceptional care and that her staff would be treated fairly. She was highly respected by the owners of the facility, the staff, and the families of the residents.
Along with being a nurse, Lillian was a Tupperware lady, sold Patricia Gaile Costmetics, owned a pop-up camper rental business which transformed to a Christmas store each year, and did medical chart reviews for a local law firm. Believe it or not, as an 88 year old, she worked along side her son as a driver for the company "Designated Driver" and helped insure hundreds of people arrived home safely instead of driving home alcohol impaired.
Lillian and Alex moved to Georgia in the early 1990's to be near their children and grandchildren. Lillian designed and helped build their new home as well as their barn and paddocks. Lillian dearly loved her grandchildren and took great pride in helping with them whenever she could.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 AM, on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, from the Antioch Christian Church with Pastor Ken May officiating. Interment will follow at Georgia National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday, October 25, 2021, and from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, October 26, 2021, at South Canton Funeral Home.
Lillian is preceded in death by her loving husband Alex. Her survivors include son Paul Chmielewski, daughter Diana Willis (Henry), daughter Kim Chmielewski (Karan Mason), Grandchildren Justin Chmielewski, Carissa Willis, Connor Chmielewski, Sean Willis, and great grandchildren Laiken, Landon, and Marcus.
In lieu of flowers, please help her family give a surprise monetary gift to a local nursing student in memory of Lillian. Please speak with daughter Kim for more information.
South Canton Funeral Home, dedicated to the families we serve, 770-479-3377. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.thescfh.com