November 13, 1935 – June 5, 2019
Lillian Sakmar of Rochester, MI passed away peacefully on June 5, 2019 at the age of 83 after a long battle with illness. Born in Detroit as Lily Jernikian to Harry Jernikian and Dikranouhi Eginian, Lily grew up in Highland Park as part of a loving and close-knit Armenian family and attended Highland Park High School. She went on to receive a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Education from Wayne State University, and was a devoted teacher until she retired to raise her family and focus on other activities. She was the president of her children’s PTA, the president of the Paint Creek Questers (a preservation and historical society), a member of Junior Women’s and also worked on various school and national elections. She also enjoyed painting and left behind many beautiful oil paintings for her family to enjoy.
She was married to Paul Sakmar for almost 60 years and they spent a lifetime focused on family, friends, work and travel. Lillian was an avid learner and explorer who loved to travel. With Paul, they traveled the globe from China to Europe to Thailand and everywhere in between. She also loved to entertain her extended family throughout the year and especially at holidays. For many years, Easter was spent in Palm Desert, California, Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July and New Years was spent in Lake Tahoe, Nevada and Christmas was spent in Michigan. The many happy memories from these days with Lily will be with us always.
She is survived by her beloved husband Paul, her children David (Ap) and Susan (Kirk Hobbs), her grandchildren Owen and Dallas, her sister Esther Kulhanjian (Paul), nieces, Julie and Laura, sister-in-law Mary Jernukian, along with many other relatives, lifelong friends and wonderful neighbors. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Dikranouhi Jernikian, as well as her brother Arthur Sarkis Jernikian.
A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will take place on Friday, June 21, 2019 from 5-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Pixley Funeral Home, 322 W. University Dr. Rochester, MI 48307. An inurnment service will be held at Mount Avon Cemetery, 800 1st St., Rochester, MI 48307 on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Memory of Lillian Sakmar to Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital via online at www.ascensionrochesterfoundation.org, or check made out to the Ascension Providence Rochester Foundation, 1101 W. University Dr., Rochester, MI 48307, or by calling the office at 248-652-5346.
