Lillian Y. Sanislo

Lillian Yolanda Sanislo, 95, of Heath, formerly of Newark, passed away peacefully to be with her Lord, June 6, 2009. Lillian, daughter of Marian Tikos Nagy was born January 29, 1914 in Budapest, Hungary. At the age of eight she traveled to America to live with her adoptive parents, Rudolph and Ann Tikos, who were members of her extended family. A graduate of West Tech High School, Lillian became an American citizen in 1940. She married Michael John Sanislo in 1938 and was married for 24 years before he passed away in 1962. Lillian retired in 1974 from Ohio Bell where she worked as a service representative and in the accounting department for over 20 years. In 1980 she left her home in Cleveland and moved to Newark to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren whom meant the world to her. Lillian was an active member of Central Christian Church. She served on numerous committees and was a member of the Christian Women's Fellowship, the Meriam Circle and the Co-Workers Sunday School Class. She was always busy making crafts for an upcoming event. In addition to her church activities Lillian found time to be a member of the Granville Fellowship and to volunteer at Licking Memorial Hospital. Her 25 years of service at Licking Memorial were celebrated with her picture on a large highway billboard and a special ceremony. Lillian savored such things as crafts, needlework, gardening, watching Ohio State football, and, especially, social interaction. Some called her a "social butterfly" having the knack to strike up a conversation with a stranger and always leaving them smiling. She had a generous spirit and uncanny ability to make everyone she touched feel special. This was evident in the many cards she would send people to let them know she was thinking of them. Lillian will fondly be remembered as Nana to many. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren boasting their achievements to anyone who would listen.

In addition to her daughter, Noreen A. Pinkerton (Granville), for whom she had much admiration and love, Lillian is survived by grandsons and their wives, Luke and Joy Pinkerton (Ann Arbor, MI) and Mark and Kim Pinkerton (Honolulu, HI), and great grandchildren, Wil and Meg Pinkerton (Ann Arbor, MI).

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at Central Christian Church, 587 Mount Vernon Road, Newark with the Rev. Rick Rintamaa and Pastor Dan Reinke officiating. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at West Park Cemetery in Cleveland.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

Arrangements are in the care of McPEEK-HOEKSTRA FUNERAL HOME in Granville. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Granville Fellowship. P.O. Box 257, Granville, Ohio 43023 or to Central Christian Church, 587 Mount Vernon Road, Newark, Ohio 43055.