Lillian Marie Tierney's Obituary
Lillian Marie Catherine Vanac Tierney, 98, passed away on January 5, 2026. She was born in New York City on July 28, 1927, the year of Lindbergh’s flight, the first talking picture, and Babe Ruth’s 60 home runs. She was the only child of Marie Simanek Vanac and Joseph Vanac. Her family maintained deep ties to the Czech community, both in the United States and in what was then Czechoslovakia.
Lillian married Michael James Tierney on October 25, 1952. Mike and Lil met while working at the brokerage firm Merrill Lynch, following his years in the Navy. They were married for 23 years until his untimely death.
Lillian was the devoted and ever-giving mother of Susan, Maureen, Michael, and John; mother-in-law to Tito, Alis and Laura, grandmother-in-law to Lesli, Lisa, Samantha, Mike and Gaby, grandmother to Emanuel, Daniel, Kimberly, Jason, Ryan, Katherine, Alex, Miles, and Lily; and great-grandmother to Lili, Gabriel, Hudson, Isaiah, Jonah, Mila, Dominic, and Lucas. She had a rare gift for making each person feel known and loved, and she touched all our lives.
Lillian’s life will be celebrated in a summer gathering at the family’s home in the Catskills, a place filled with memories of decades of summers spent together.
What’s your fondest memory of Lillian?
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Share a story where Lillian's kindness touched your heart.
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