1928 - 2025
OBITUARY
Lillian Katherine Donnell (Hauprich)
Lillian was born in Yorkville by midwife on September 21, 1928, to Elizabeth and John Hauprich. She was joined by her sister Joan a few years later. Her family moved to the Bronx, then Brooklyn, settling in New Hyde Park, NY. She attended elementary school in the Bronx, graduating from James Madison High School. She loved going to school, participating in Sodality, and riding her bicycle with friends on weekends; she had fond memories of these early years with a close-knit family of aunts, uncles, and cousins, many from Hungary.
Her earliest memories were crocheting with her mother at 5, which became a lifelong passion. Her mother took Lillian and Joan to the park daily, meeting with cousins where they would play store or climb on the rocks. She said, "At the time, we thought these rocks were tremendous," but when she visited the park years later, she laughed at how small they were.
Her father and uncles opened a small restaurant in Manhattan in 1930, starting with the taproom and eventually purchasing the surrounding buildings to create a large restaurant in the Wall Street Area. The restaurant was an important part of their lives and helped build a close-knit family. She lived through the war years both in childhood and as a young woman and gained a healthy respect for our veterans and her country, which remained steadfast throughout her life.
They enjoyed family vacations to Smallwood, NY, every summer. During the school year, they rolled up the rugs with relatives, played the accordion or harmonica, and danced the "broom dance" at various family homes as their favorite weekly entertainment. She had so much fun with her many cousins, who were frequent companions. She said, "Looking back, it might have been a poor neighborhood, but you can live in a poor neighborhood and be very happy and not know you were poor because you could be rich in so many things, such as close family and friends." "Life was simple; you didn't need a lot of money to have fun," she said. She continued her education at The College of Good Counsel in White Plains, graduating with honors. Immediately following, she was hired by British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) working on the international reservations desk. While there, she won an essay contest for an all-expense trip to Europe, where her love for lifelong travel began.
Lillian soon met John, her husband, and they married in May 1954. They raised five children, 3 girls and 2 boys. She was a stay-at-home mom and enjoyed participating in the many parish clubs and events where her children were often involved. There were many weekend excursions to her father's restaurant, especially on birthdays. They often visited, family, museums, the Radio City music hall, and the beach in summer, sometimes stopping at Wetsons’ for a hamburger, to her children's delight. They would vacation at Woodlock Pines every summer creating life long memories, with mom often winning most every competition.
As the children grew and became more independent, she returned to school, earning her Master's in Early Childhood Education, Literature, and Business Education. She began her second career at Denton Avenue School in Herricks, which became like a second family. She gave it her all, developed a love for her students and made life-long friends with her fellow teachers. She worked tirelessly with the Human Relations Club, helping each child find their voice.
The children in her club ran many great and innovative charitable events before ending the year with Flag Day. The school and its children decked out in red, white, and blue with an honor guest list of veterans. Mrs. Donnell led the day swathed in our country's colors from head to toe, supported by the children in the Human Relations Club. The school children, parents, and faculty turned out in great numbers, and it became a full day of celebrating our nation's flag, always ending the program with a resounding "God Bless America." She retired at 83 and spent much time with family and friends, taking up bridge. She was very pleased when one of her students would come to visit after retirement and share how much they enjoyed her class and their burgeoning careers giving her credit for the lessons they learned.
While in retirement Christmas which was always an important holiday bringing much of the family together, became quite a hilarious event with white elephant and the grab bags. Our family loved being together and it became even more so now, as she gathered us together for the holidays. She made it very special as she did most everything that was important to her. And that’s how we always felt when we were with her – special. She continuing to spend time with her 5 children Bill (Gloria), Lynn (John), Lisa (David), John (Lisa) and Irene, including 16 grandchildren Jill (Vince), Billy (Courtney), Brian (Erika), Lauren, Mary, Michael (Katherine), Rosemarie, Stephen, Mathew, Sean, Elizabeth, Matthew, Madison Lillian, Kevin, Kris (Sydney) and Katie (Danny)). Along with 9 great-grandchildren (Paige Lillian, Hailey, Lillian, Amelia, Nellie, Delilah, Brynn, Kirby and Chloe). She lived a life of faith, love and family. “Semper Peradis”
VISITATION
Sunday, February 23
2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
New Hyde Park Funeral Home
506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Monday, February 24
10:00 AM
St. Anne R.C. Church
35 Dartmouth Street, Garden City, NY
INTERMENT
St. Charles Cemetery
2015 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY