Obituary of Lillian E. Pihl

Lillian E. Pihl, 91, of Heritage Park, formerly of Brookdale Living Solutions and 5115 Spring Street, Ashville, died Monday March 20, 2017, in UPMC Chautauqua WCA after a brief illness. A native of Jamestown, she was born September 26, 1925, the daughter of the late Oscar and Martina Carlson Benson. She was a 1942 graduate of Jamestown High School. Prior to her retirement she was employed by Chautauqua County Department of Social Services and earlier had worked for New York State Department of Health. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Lillian will be remembered for her mild manner, hospitality and humility as well as her Swedish cardamom rolls, Christmas smorgasbord and special dinners for her guests. She warmly opened her home to family, countless visitors and neighbors, and had a large circle of friends and acquaintances. She assisted her husband at the reunions of his Naval Ship, the USS Essex, helping to run the ship's store. Her hobbies included reading, playing cards, cross stitch, knitting, cooking and bowling. She also enjoyed playing golf and was a former league member at the Willow Run Golf Course. For many years, she and husband, Bill enjoyed rides on Chautauqua Lake on their boat Vär Flicka. Surviving are three children: Eileen (Roger Tenglund) Martin of Mayville; Ron (Desiree) Pihl, of Pray, MT; David (Patricia) Pihl of Mayville and six grandchildren, Todd and Craig Martin, James, Caroline, William and Stephen Pihl; seven great grandchildren; and two nieces, Barbara Chiappetta of Pasadena, MD and Elaine Hebbe of Vero Beach, FL. She was preceded in death by her husband William C. Pihl, whom she married October 25, 1947 and who died December 30, 2016; two brothers, Harry and Stanley Benson; stepbrother Donald Ball and a stepmother, Adeline Benson. Friends will be received Thursday from 6-8 p.m. in Lind Funeral Home. The funeral will held there at 11 a.m. on Friday. Rev. Douglas Kibbe will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to WCA Foundation, 300 Foote Ave, Jamestown, NY 14701, or the Lakewood Library, 12 West Summit Street, Lakewood, NY 14750. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com