Lillian McCann

Lillian Francis DeHart was born February 22, 1930 in Weatherby, Missouri to Donald and Olive DeHart.

She lived on a farm, loved chickens and got her first pony when Grandpa took her to the neighbor’s place a few miles away. He bought her Nina, a little black and white painted pony. Grandpa left her to ride the pony home alone. It was a different era.

Lillian moved to Dearborn just as she was ready to begin high school.

She attended Dearborn High School where she was active in field hockey and played the sax in the jazz band. She was an active supporter of her school and sold drinks to support the teams out of a Coca Cola cooler that her Dad had.

Her father, Don had a used car lot on Michigan Avenue, and he let his daughters drive the convertibles, it was good advertising. Mom drove a bright blue 1940 Packard convertible in high school, loading all her friends into it until the police would call Grandpa to shut her down. In 1948, Lillian went to Hillsdale College and joined Chi Omega Sorority. On the recommendation of a sorority sister, she accepted a date from a young man, only to find out later that it was my charming father. They were married within the year, on October 6, 1949. The next July they welcomed their daughter Kathleen Jerre, then a year later a second daughter Maureen Mary, James Charles arrived in 1955 and Wade DeHart in 1960.

Lillian was active in the City of Livonia even while raising four children. She was an active member and President of the Lawyer’s Wives. She was Chairperson of Livonia Town Hall where she brought in speakers like Lowell Thomas and others of his caliber. She was also Vice-President of the Livonia Historical Society and assisted in bringing many historical homes, churches and businesses together to form Greenmead Historical Village. She was a Girl Scout leader and arranged for her troop to meet Helen Keller when she was speaking in Detroit.

Lillian loved her horse Alfie and taught others, including niece Catherine, and granddaughters Amy Nickin, Katie McCann, and Meghan Kaminski to love riding. She was a volunteer riding instructor at John Ivory Farms, and

a member of the Livonia Women’s Golf League for over 20 years. James and Lillian traveled the world for pleasure, to view historical sites, and to ski.

Lillian is survived by her husband, Judge James R. McCann, children, Kathleen McCann and husband Norm Nickin, Maureen McCann, James C. McCann and his wife Linda, Wade McCann and his wife Gosia. She is also survived by grandchildren Amy and Eric Eiken-Sluyter, Jodi and John Prince, Christopher Nickin and Paula Fournier, Rian McCann Kaminski, Michael McCann, Meghan and Tom Varney, Amy and Mark Micallef, Katie McCann, Trevor McCann and Josie Hern, Tyler McCann and Sarah, and great-grandchildren, Serena, Riley, Finn, Jagger, Makenzy, Kylee, Kaiden, and Haily. Lil is also survived by her sister Lu and husband Gene Lehmann and many nieces and nephews. She was dearly loved and will be so missed.

A funeral service for Lillian will be held Monday, February 12, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Harry J Will Funeral Home, 3700 Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan. The family will receive close friends and family on Sunday, February 11, 2018 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at the funeral home. A burial will occur following the funeral at Parkview Memorial Cemetery, 34205 5 Mile Rd, Livonia, Michigan 48154.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lillian's memory may be made to Alzheimer's Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the McCann family may be shared at www.harryjwillfuneralhome.com.