Obituary: Lillian Virginia Priebe
Lillian Virginia Priebe, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away peacefully in her home with her son Gary by her side on Tuesday, March 15, 2023, at the age of 96.
She was born on September 28, 1926, in Detroit, MI to Joseph and Blanche Gootee. Lillian grew up in Detroit and often shared fond memories of walking with her cousin Agnes to visit their grandmother, who had immigrated from Poland as a young woman.
She later married Eugene Aloysius Przybysz (Priebe) on August 2, 1947, at St. Francis D’Assisi Catholic Parish, and together raised four boys until his untimely passing at the age of 46. She remained very involved at St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, later volunteering with the Our Lady of Grace women’s group as well as working many years for Ames Supply Company.
Lillian especially valued family — so much so — that on her wedding day, the entire wedding party went to the hospital with a plate of food for her grandmother, who was too ill to attend. She also had a very close relationship with her sister Geraldine (Gerry) until her passing at the age of 52. She was always there to lend a helping hand, babysit, or even offer a place to stay when needed. She loved to cook and entertain, often serving delicious Polish meals to a houseful of friends and family, including the priests and nuns from church. Her Catholic faith was paramount in her life, which only enhanced her gentle, loving nature with everyone she met. She always said she was a people person and loved everyone.
She enjoyed playing Bunco with friends, attending Polish festivals, and had many artistic hobbies, including wreath making, macramé, and creating stained glass works of art that she shared with her children. She enjoyed traveling and lived in Arizona for many years, then Florida — but ultimately, returned home to Michigan because that is where her family was. It was not uncommon to enter her home and hear Polka music playing loudly in the background as she busily worked in the kitchen making pierogis. She would often say, “Never leave your home — that is where family is. Always make time for family.”
She is survived by her four sons, Eugene (Judy) Priebe, Donald Priebe (sig. other Frances Rogers), Gary Priebe, and Paul (Connie) Priebe; eight grandchildren, Monique (Michael) Coffman, Gina (Dennis) Pellock, Mark (Erin) Priebe, Mary (David) Ward, Jim (April) Priebe, Amanda (Jeremy) Schweim, Megan and Kenny Priebe; and 16 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a stillborn infant daughter, husband Eugene, sister Geraldine Kohlruss, and parents Joseph Gootee and Blanche Kean.
A Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, March 21 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, in Plymouth.
