Lilyan Cecelia Poggi

Lilyan Cecelia Poggi (Diamond Lil) of Wilmington, Delaware died after a year-long battle of rare Appendix Cancer. Lilyan (birth name Lillian Poggi) was born February 7, 1946 in Hoboken, New Jersey, a daughter of Anthony and Marie Poggi. Lilyan left New Jersey to attend flight school. Upon graduating from flight school, she joined United Airlines as a flight attendant in July 1966 where after 39 years of service, retired July 2005. She traveled the world and made friends everywhere she went. She truly loved people and cherished her friendships. Lilyan knew NO stranger and her flight friends were her family in the sky. Many of which have taken special care of her in her final days and hours. Lilyan received her Associates of Science degree from Alleghany County Community College in Monroeville, Pennsylvania on June 7th, 1981. She achieved her Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and Administration, graduating cum laude, from Chattam College in May, 1990 and received her Masters of Arts and Personal Administration and Industrial Relations from St. Francis College in Coretto, Pennsylvania in May, 1992. Lilyan started teaching at Wilmington University as a professor in October 2005 up until her final days. She taught courses in Philosophy and Humanity but especially shared stories of how her teaching in an Arts and Science class called “Building Brain Power”, has supported special therapy groups utilizing the Mandela coloring process for healing the spirit and self-realization. She was a Christian woman and attended Ogletown Baptist Church in Newark, Delaware. Lilyan was a very giving person, offering signs of peace and friendship to people she may have met only one time. She loved to play golf, enjoyed food (especially Italian and chocolates), laugh with friends and read books. She was adventurous yet liked her quiet moments at home with her dogs and family. Her big white smile, dynamic personality and infectious laugh will be deeply missed. Lil is survived by her two sisters, Sandra Lewis of Michigan and Marie Kenny of Florida, her brother Danny Poggi, step-brother Ernie (Rose) Zerenner of Wilmington, Delaware and sister-in-law Carole Poggi. She was a loving aunt to nieces Robin (Andrew) Sitko, Tracy (Robert) Bush, Shannon (Aaron) Berlin, April Poggi, Sarah Poggi and Dawn (Andrew) Gilmartin; nephews David Poggi, Mark (Merideth) Poggi, Nathan Poggi, Stephen (Evelyn) Zerenner and Greg Zerenner; three great nieces and three great nephews; and her two faithful companions (her dogs), Bennedito (Benny) and Dino (Dino) Antonio Poggi. Lilyan was preceded in death by her parents, Step mother Lena Poggi, brother Anthony Poggi, Jr. and brother-in-law Wayne Lewis. A visitation for family and friends will be on Wednesday evening, March 16, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home, 635 Churchmans Rd., Newark DE 19702. Friends may also visit at Ogletown Baptisit Church, 316 Red Mill Rd, Newark DE 19713 on Thursday, March 17 from 10:00 to 11:00 am followed by a service celebrating Lilyan’s Life at 11:00 am. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers contributions can be sent to Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation, Attn. Inpatient Unit, 11 Independence Way, Newark DE 19713. For directions and to express an online condolence please visit www.strano-feeley.com

Lilyan Cecelia Poggi

February 7, 1946 - March 13, 2011

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