Lillian Catherine Tambrini

TAMBRINI, Lillian Catherine (nee Lusa), age 94, passed away Friday, January 12, 2024. Born to Joseph and Mary Lusa (nee Czuprynski) on November 25, 1929 on the south side of Chicago. Lillian attended St. Mary Magdalene School and Bowen High School. She was married to Raymond Barankiewicz (deceased) for 25 years with whom she had 3 children, Corinne (Stephen) Kochanowicz, Brian (Susan) Barankiewicz, and baby James Raymond (deceased).

Beloved grandmother to Kimberly (Grant) Davis, Christopher (Alicia) Kochanowicz and Mary (Brian) Landwer. Step-grandmother to Gabe Rivera.  Proud Great-grandmother to Abigail, Luke and Zachary Davis, Owen, Leo and Mia Kochanowicz and Ethan, Madelyn Lily and Theodore Landwer.

Lillian married Danny Tambrini (deceased) in 1976, inheriting 3 Step-children, Danny  Barrett, Denise  (Jeff) Tambrini-Lanman, Dwayne (Mary) Barrett and many Step-grandchildren.

Early in her first marriage, she worked as a switchboard operator and later pursued a career as a hairdresser. After she married Danny, she found her true passion when she became very involved in many clubs including the Nifty Over Fifty Senior Club of South Chicago Heights (where she was President for many years), Recycled Teenagers Sr Club (where she was also President for many years), Steger Nifty Over Fifty, Polish Falcons, Tops, Tuesday Park District Senior Club, Oak Senior Club of Country Club Hills, Crete Bunco, Upper Crust of Crete and Thursday Afternoon Club of South Chicago Heights. In addition to being President of several clubs, she loved to travel and planned many group trips including 3 to Europe. Needless to say, she made many close friendships along the way.

In her free time, Lillian loved to make crafts that she sold at craft fairs as well as donating many to various clubs and friends. She and Danny were known for their family reunions and annual pig roasts that they hosted at their home in South Chicago Heights. Her family will always remember how she made holidays special with her extravagant Christmas decorations (9 trees!), homemade craft decorations and delicious platskis, kolachki and kruschicki.

Lillian lived a long and full life,  never one to sit on the sidelines, she loved entertaining and spending time with friends and loved ones. Her memory will never grow old.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lillian’s name to the Dementia Society of America.  ( www.dementiasociety.org .)

Visitation is Friday, January 26, 2024, from 3:00 - 7:00 pm at Steger Memorial Chapel, 3045 Chicago Road, Steger, Illinois.

A private family internment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Calumet City, Illinois.  Arrangements entrusted to Smits-Steger Memorial Chapel. For more information, please call 708-755-6100 or visit our online obituary and guestbook at www.SMITSFH.com .