Lillian Stubbs
By her daughter, Tanya DeForest
Lillian and Van Stubbs
in front of their Seadrifter Motel
Seadrift lost one of its special seniors, Lillian Stubbs, on February 15, 2022. She was 97! After a brief stay in the hospital and a few days in a nursing home, Lillian left this life for another. She is sorely missed by family and friends. The impact of her life as a mother, friend, church member, and a member of the Seadrift community will long be remembered.
She left a legacy of a hard-working woman who built (along with her husband Van) and operated the Seadrifter Motel across from the Seadrift harbor.
Lillian had a keen interest in what was happening in the community, and in later years loved to be driven around in the Seadrift area so she could see first-hand any new development. The newspaper and especially the news on TV were very important to her. She took pride in that she could vote in elections, and was especially pleased when she found out she could vote by mail when it wasn’t easy for her to get out.
No stranger to crime after working in the motel business through the years, Lillian had great appreciation for Seadrift’s police force. The current Police Chief, Leonard Bermea, was one of her favorites.
Lillian was a pampered customer of Dick’s Grocery Store in Seadrift, as they would order and stock some of her favorite food items. When she was still able, going shopping at the store was one of her most enjoyable things to do.
For years she enjoyed having her two friends, Reisi Petru and LaDonna Powell, over after church for a meal and lots of conversation!
Originally from Nebraska, Lillian was a descendant of Polish immigrants who came to America in the late 1800’s. A lot of the family became farmers as were Lillian’s parents.
Growing up on a farm in rural Nebraska, Lillian observed first-hand what made this country great: a faith in God, a hard-work ethic, lending a helping hand, a keen interest in politics, and a love for family.
Lillian loved to be out-doors and enjoyed riding horses with her special friend Ruth. Lillian’s older sister, Evangeline, enjoyed being in-doors.
Lillian’s mother, Anastasia, loved to sew. I was handed down one of her hand-made quilts and it’s simply beautiful! Lillian’s father worked hard on the farm and would employ men to help him as he and Anastasia were given three girls- Lillian being the middle child. The oldest daughter was Evangeline who with her husband Joe raised six kids in rural Nebraska. The youngest daughter, Rosemary, died at a fairly young age.
Lillian had a great uncle, Oblate Cyril Mitera, who was the first Franciscan priest in Nebraska. There was also a nun in the family, Sister Wenceslas, who was Lillian’s great aunt. Lillian told of how the mass at a local Polish Catholic Church would last at least an hour and a half, maybe two!
Her faith was very important to her. Sunday was the day to go to church. I remember her putting a sign at the motel office reading “Gone to Church.”
After Lillian graduated from high school, she pursued a nursing career. She chose to “travel the world” and worked in hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii. When she was married to my dad, she even lived in Japan!
Years later, she chose to manage the family motel and operate rental properties. She prided herself on being a shrewd businesswoman and employed over the years a number of local people from Seadrift. Tracy Frank was with her the longest.. twenty-six years!
Lillian had four children. Her oldest, Douglas, died when he was very young. I was the second child. Then there was Chris, and last, but certainly, not the least, is Sid! She had three grandchildren and nine great grandchildren with one on the way!
We want to give a shout-out to Lillian’s caregivers: Jan Hockenhull, Linda Mullins, Trish Cyrus, and Lou Guice. You gave her the greatest gift and it was love!
Down through the years friends and family meant more to her than we’ll ever know! Special mention goes out to all her family and her six nieces and nephews.
Special note: Becky Gray who gave her communion, Tommye Schustereit and Linda Odom who gave her company (Don’t forget the good food!), Tom Kawana and David Jisha who were special friends who brought her gifts as well, the ladies who worked at the motel who reached out to her, Glynda McCown and Helen Robinson, and the Seadrift First National Bank in always supplying her with a Christmas turkey.
To those of you who knew Lillian we are sorry for your loss.
Memories can be the dearest of friends.
