Lily Stark

Elegant and enchanting, courageous and committed, Lily Lenz Stark lived through the history of the last century with fierce optimism throughout her 95 years. From a childhood in Vienna, to Brussels at the beginning of World WWII, fleeing through occupied Europe, she settled in Havana, Cuba for 20 happy years with her husband Fred and son George. After the Cuban revolution she and Fred moved to Paris, France for another 20 wonderful years.

Then they came to Houston to be near her family.

Her intelligence, courage and cleverness persevered in many harrowing situations. Escaping occupied Europe during WWII required stealth and calm, crossing borders at night, navigating trains around police patrols, being held by the police for several days and then released, trying for the same border crossing again. Two decades later, at the time of the Cuban revolution, she cleverly arranged a way to leave Havana, in one situation swallowing the claim slip for her trunk while onboard a ship about to set sail.

Lilly was a global citizen before the phrase was invented. Her talent for languages was well utilized, as she began life over and over again in new countries. She spoke six languages. She was a magnet for friends, from all walks of life, from all continents. She was an essential part of her husband Fred's jewelry business in Havana and then his directorship of Harry Winston in Europe. She was most proud of becoming a U.S. citizen in her 70s, especially grateful for the privilege of freedom.

Bridge was a constant throughout her life. she enjoyed the mental challenge, made friends in all places, and continued to play even as she was losing her eyesight and hearing. Opera and music were her passions since her early days in Vienna. She and Fred were floating clouds on the dance floor, from watlzes to Latin beats. Her aesthetic talents covered many areas. Lily designed jewelry settings for Fred's store in Havana. She was a masterful chef. A famous restaurant even used her recipe, with credit.

She could taste a dish and tell you what was in it, in what proportion. She was an immaculate dresser, and also an expert sewer and knitter.

This strong, talented charming woman was also the most loving, caring, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and mother in law. She always shared her thoughts with straightforward honest sincerity. Her amazing life was dictated in a book for family, which she titled, "Miracles Happen", accenting the blessings and luck that led her to survive, thrive, and face the future with joy, through the most perilous and wondrous of times.

The family is grateful for the kind devotion of her caregivers, Elizabeth Quiros, Irma Melendez, and Sara Avila. Her irreplaceable assistant Madeline Armstrong encouraged and made possible Lily's written life story.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Fred Stark, her parents, Gitel and Herman Lenz, and her brothers Isaac and John Lenz. Her grandson Daniel Stark also preceded her in death.

Her son George Stark and daughter-in-law Lois Stark,and grandson Ben Stark survive her. Other surviving family are he sister-in-law Frances Lenz and her nieces Geraldine Lenz and Marilyn Lenz.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, June 6, 2016 at Congregation Beth Israel Memory Garden, 1101 Antoine, Houston with Cantor Daniel Mutlu officiating.