Lillian "Lil" Malizia Santa Cruz, California Obituary

Lillian "Lil" Malizia

Lillian “Lil” Malizia went home to Jesus at age 96. Lillian was born to Walter and Marcella Poloskys on December 5, 1924 in Hudson, New York. After graduating from high school in NYC, Lillian met her husband, Anthony Malizia at a dance. They married shortly after on August 22, 1943 and went on to have two children, Robert and Janna. In 1955, they moved their family to Hicksville, NY where Lillian worked as a secretary. With children grown, Lillian & Anthony moved to Nanuet, NY, then Englewood, Florida, then Las Vegas, Nevada. She worked as a school secretary in Florida for 18 years, which she loved. Her final 10 years were spent with her daughter, Janna Malizia and family in Aptos, California, eventually moving independently to La Posada in Santa Cruz, making many friends, and lastly to Pacific Coast Manor skilled nursing home. She loved California. Mom was a devout Catholic, never missing Church. She always believed her angels were protecting her. She loved games, crossword puzzles, playing the nickel slots, ladybugs, seashells, food, reading, exercise, joking with everyone, occasional cocktails and meticulous note-keeping of events in her family life. She never lost her youthful sense of play as remembered by her grand-daughter, Shila and her nieces and nephews. She was witty, energetic and full of life. Lillian joins her husband, Anthony, her brothers Anthony & Frank, her sister Ann, and parents Walter & Marcella and step-father Joe Cooper in Heaven. Lillian is survived by her daughter, Janna Malizia, her son-in-law Robert Torres, her granddaughter, Shila, her son, Robert & daughter-in-law Kathy Malizia, her grandchildren Lynn Malizia, Michelle Ferguson & husband John, & two great-grandsons John & Ryan. Exodus 23:20 “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.”
December 5, 1924 - December 20, 202012/05/192412/20/2020
Share Obituary:
Lillian "Lil" Malizia
Lillian "Lil" Malizia
Tribute WallObituary & Events
Share a memory

Share a memory

Add to your memory
Photos/Video
Candle
Mementos

Tribute wall

K
Karen Monroe
January 20, 2021
Lil and I worked together at Englewood Elementary School. Even though I was quite a bit younger than she was we formed a special relationship. We both shared a love of the English language. While taking some college courses, she edited my work and encouraged me to conti... Continue Reading
1 comment
Comment
J
Janna Malizia
January 22, 2021
I am looking forward to reading your book dedicated to my Mom. Mom would "correct" my letters from college and send them back to me underlined and crossed out with spelling check and grammar corrections in RED! Now I understand and appreciate her "editing skills!" Thank y... Continue Reading
V
Vincent little vinny
January 19, 2021
Dear Aunt Lil. Always a sweetheart loving and kind I have my memories to keep you alive I remember Hicksville I remember upstate NY I remember coming to Florida and the pizza parlor I remember duke the dog always a happy time when I would see you thank you for loving me ... Continue Reading
Crucifix was posted for Lillian "Lil" Malizia.
Crucifix was posted for Lillian "Lil" Malizia.
1 comment
Comment
J
Janna Malizia
January 22, 2021
Cousin Vinny - just like your Dad - my Uncle Vinny. Your Dad was my Mom's rock when my Dad died. He took care of her so she never felt loneliness. You both are sweethearts and my only cousin on the West Coast. Thank you for your beautiful memories. Now the whole Malizia f... Continue Reading
S
Shila Malizia
January 18, 2021
To My (wonderful charismatic and Sassy ) Grandma!

To all of our Las Vegas summer days ... swimming in the pool together and trying to "catch fish".
To the times we would go to the buffets together and I always thought I was so cool to get to walk into a Casino as a ki... Continue Reading
1 comment
Comment
J
Janna Malizia
January 22, 2021
Shila, you got the best of Grandma! She seamlessly moved into your "generation". Can't believe all the things you got away with that I couldn't way back when. Grandma got such a kick out of you - don't know if you made her young or she kept you playful. You two were peas ... Continue Reading
S
Stephen Carella
January 17, 2021
Aunt Lillian?

What can I say?

Always warm, happy and energetic. Don't ever remember her in a bad mood. She was smart too and kept you on your toes. I guess all that makes me a lucky nephew. My only complaint is that it ended, but not the memories.

Love,
Stephen
1 comment
Comment
J
Janna Malizia
January 22, 2021
Cousin Stephen. Many years have passed since you spent time with my Mom. That's when we were really kids at each other's homes. She was all that you remembered - maybe a bad mood occasionally - but truly an easy and gentle soul. Thank you for sharing and reminding me of h... Continue Reading
D
Diane Otten
January 17, 2021
You were one of a kind! I'll never forget the times you made so much fun!

1 memorial tree was planted in memory of Lillian "Lil" Malizia.

R
Robert Malizia
January 14, 2021
I admired your independence that you enjoyed, not many people can say that. You had Janet who took wonderful care of you and your needs. Sorry that I couldn't visit with but the skype visits were great, like being there. We all love you and wish the best in your continui... Continue Reading
1 comment
Comment
D
Diane Otten
January 17, 2021
Lil (she let us call her that) was always one of my favorite people. Sometimes when I recall my teenage years, she's right there laughing and joking around with us. She did not, however, let us forget that she "got" us and we couldn't get anything past her! I'm happy that... Continue Reading
B
Barbara
January 12, 2021
Just as I remembered her.... beautiful tribute to a great woman... remembering all the fun times with her .. Chinese buffet in Nanuet and her lining her pocket book with foil for take homes ... playing the piano, driving to Florida with them.... she will be missed ..gla... Continue Reading
1 comment
Comment
J
Janna Malizia
January 14, 2021
Thank you Barbara. She was notorious for Chinese Buffet and her aluminum-lined "pocket book". Made me smile to remember her fun antics. I miss her and feel so fortunate that she spent her last 10 years close to me and my family in California. She had lots of "inside jokes... Continue Reading
J
Jeanne Paff
January 12, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss Aunt Lil holds a special place in my Heart and always will. I especially feel closer to her living down here in Florida if it wasn’t for Aunt Lil and Uncle Tony I never would have even known about this beautiful place. May she RIP and may all... Continue Reading
Dove was posted for Lillian "Lil" Malizia.
Dove was posted for Lillian "Lil" Malizia.
1 comment
Comment
J
Janna Malizia
January 14, 2021
Love your memory and symbolic gesture. Mom loved birds and ladybugs and seashells. Her collection from Florida was amazing. So many great memories of Dad and Mom in Florida with Grandma and Grandpa. She loved when you and Tommy and family came to visit. Just another reaso... Continue Reading
B
Bob Tott
January 11, 2021
I will always remember the little chats and laughs that I had with Lillian.
My love to you, Janna and the family with my sincere prayers.
Bob
1 comment
Comment
J
Janna Malizia
January 14, 2021
What a beautiful and lasting gift for Mom by planting a tree in her memory. Thank you Bob. I remember all of us at Lillian's restaurant for her 90th birthday - it was a very special day. We got the whole restaurant celebrating for Mom!
R
Robert Tott
January 11, 2021
Let the hearty roots of this tree symbolize the strength of Lillian's character and forever grow to envelope us with her loving arms. Love, Bob Tott

1 memorial tree was planted in memory of Lillian "Lil" Malizia.