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Lillian M. Gregorich was born September 10, 1907 in Koroska Bela, Slovenia. She was a resident of Corbin for 33 years from 1937 to 1970. Shortly after her husband died, she moved to northern states to live closer to her children's families. Lillian's wishes were to be buried in Corbin next to her husband, Dr. Emil V. Gregorich d. 3/5/68, and her daughter, Geraldine Drossart d. 8/4/84. Lillian was an active parishioner of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and served often in leadership roles for the Ladies Altar Society. She was a talented member of the Forsythia Garden Club, winning top honors for arrangements year after year. She was a strong supporter of St. Camillus Academy and worked on many projects to benefit the school. All seven of her children attended and graduated from St. Camillus. In May of 1966, she was honored as Corbin's Mother of the Year by the Beta Pi Chapter of the Beta Sigma Pi Sorority. Lillian's surviving children are: Ms. Lillian Klant of Palm Harbor, Florida, Mr. David Gregorich of New Franken, Wisconsin, Mr. Eugene Gregorich of Kewaunee, Wisconsin, Mr. Daniel Gregorich of Jackson, Michigan, Mrs. Mary Ann Allendorf of Livonia, Michigan, and Dr. Steven Gregorich of Placerville, California. All of her children are retired and will be attending the funeral services in Corbin. Lillian passed away October 17, 2003 in Livonia, Michigan at age 96 leaving 162 direct descendants: seven children, 42 grandchildren, 99 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren. She was so loved and honored by her family because she was the hallmark of what a mother should be. She was a teacher, nurse, artist, philosopher, counselor and companion. As she passed from this life, she was still teaching the family how to love and respect one another. Her lessons of life leave to her family a treasure of love and devotion to God and one another. In honor of Lillian, a Memorial Fund has been established for the preservation of historic St. Camillus Academy and the re-establishment of the St. Camillus Academy High School program. Lillian always felt that the St. Camillus Academy building and grounds were among the most beautiful and inspiring in Kentucky. One of her last statements to the family about St. Camillus was: "They should not tear it down." The family requests contributions to the Memorial Fund in lieu of sending flowers. Contributors may send checks payable to The Lillian Gregorich Memorial Fund and addressed to: Peggy Smith, Director, St. Camillus Alumni Association, Inc., PO Box 1701, Corbin, Kentucky 40702-1701. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 23 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Jerome Stern as celebrant. Interment will be at Pine Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at O'Neil Funeral Home from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday with a Rosary service at 6:30 p.m. led by Father Mark Dreves. O'Neil Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. |