Lillian Marie Ankelein

Lillian M. Ankelein, Obituary

Lillian Marie Ankelein (Collins), 90, resident of Crestview, Florida, passed peacefully on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at Okaloosa Medical Center.  Beloved wife of the late George C. Ankelein Sr., and sweet, fun-loving mother of Susan Perry, Deborah Ankelein, Sandra Kieffer, George Ankelein Jr., Eric Ankelein, Scott Ankelein and Peter Ankelein. 

Lillian was born in Englewood, NJ to Brownie and Helen Collins on July 11, 1932.  She was the seventh child of eight siblings, Robert, Joseph, and the late Pauline, Elizabeth, William, John and Catherine. 

She is the beloved grandmother of Rebecca Hodges, Meghan Gavagne, Kimber Wagner, Chloe Brookshire, Allyssa Ankelein, Emma and Miles Ankelein, and the cherished great grandmother of West Hodges and Elliott Gavagni.

Lillian graduated Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, NJ, met George at a YMCA Halloween dance in Hackensack, NJ.  They married on September 1st, 1951 and proceeded to celebrate the births of their seven children. 

Lillian loved children and cared for many children over the years.  She worked as a receptionist/secretary in NYC, for a time in retail and finally fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse.  She worked in Pediatrics- again bringing her love to all the children she cared for. 

Lillian was always helping where she could; volunteered as class Mom, led a Brownie/Girl Scout troop, sang in choirs of various First Presbyterian Churches, taught Sunday School, hosted many teas and fund-raisers, welcomed exchange students from Canada and Spain, (and all of our friends).  She was always ready with a joke, a laugh, and a treat for everyone who crossed her path.  Her loving light shined on everyone.

A time of visitation with the family will be on Friday, March 31st, 2023, at 3:00pm, followed by a “Celebration of Life” service at 4:00pm at the Chapel of Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home.  There will be a reception at the family’s house, following the service at 4256 Antioch Road, Crestview, FL  32536.

Lillian would love you to help others by donating to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Please send all condolences, tributes and memories to the Whitehurst-Powell Funeral Home website. Info@whitehurstpowell.com, www.whitehurstpowellfuneral home.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview. Guest book and condolences are available online at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com

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