Lillian B. Chancey, age 87, passed away peacefully at the Kingwood Medical Center in Humble, Texas, on June 29, 2012 at 10:30 PM. She was in the company of her loving family and two weeks short of her 88th birthday.
She was born on July 14, 1924, in Poland to Joseph and Mary Krecioch. At a young age she and her family moved to Homecourt, France where she was raised and often enjoyed swimming and dancing in the company of her 6 siblings and friends. Lillian and her family suffered the Nazi occupation of World War II, after which she met her future husband Woodrow Wilson Chancey, who was a decorated member of the army corps of engineers that assisted in the liberation of France.
After the war, Woodrow proposed marriage and sent for her and they were married in his hometown of Bixby, Oklahoma by way of a transatlantic ship and train ride out of New York City. After traveling the United States, and living in Brownsville, Hays, Glenrock, Casper, Minden, Roswell, Denver, and Broken Arrow they settled in Bay City, Texas where they raised their 4 children: Jerry, Roger, Steve and Judy.
Lillian worked for the Bay City School District for many years before transitioning into a culinary career as a pâtissière, a position she held until her retirement. Never one to slow down long, she then dedicated herself to service work in the Bay City community with a particular focus on the Pink Ladies Auxiliary who provide assistance to patients and staff of the Matagorda General Hospital.
A proud matriarch, she loved spending time with her family, attending Sunday School at the First Baptist Church and competing fiercely at board games including Skip Bo and Rummikub. She was strong and independent, living on her own for over 20 years and going out of her way to assist the many friends, colleagues and neighbors she held dear.
Lillian will be lovingly remembered for her quick wit, spirit of adventure, and the tenacity with which she approached her many travails.
She is survived by her children: Jerry Edward Chancey, Roger Dale Chancey, Steven Woodrow Chancey and Judy Chancey Wilson; her grandchildren: Jessica Chancey, Brian Chancey, Angela Davis, Tina Webb, Summer Chancey, Ashley Chancey, Stephanie Allen, Amber Anguish, Chancey Wilson and Ryley Wilson; her great-grandchildren: Rhys Allen, Houston Allen and Aydan Anguish.
She is preceded in death by her husband Woodrow Wilson Chancey.
Visitation will be held at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home on Monday, July 2, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 3 at the First Baptist Church, Bay City, Texas with Dr. Mike Zimmerman officiating. Friends and others interested in celebrating her extraordinary life are welcome at the service and at the reception that will be held in the fellowship hall following the service.
Memorials may be made in honor of Lillian to the Bay City Pink Ladies Auxiliary or the First Baptist Church of Bay City.