Lillyan Dinunzio

"Together Again"

BOARDMAN - A prayer service will be held Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Boardman-Canfield Chapel for Mrs. Lillyan DiNunzio, 79, who died Thursday morning at her daughter's residence, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous six year battle with ovarian cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Church in Boardman.
Lillyan was born Aug. 12, 1933, in Youngstown, the oldest of four children to Michael D. Anzevino and Della (Giovanni) Moore. Originally from Briar Hill, she lived there until marrying her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Ray S. DiNunzio on Oct. 10, 1953. They were married 58 years before he passed away on Nov. 19, 2011.
Lillyan was a 1951 graduate of The Rayen School where she served as Vice President of her class. She was a member of the church, worked the election polls for many years, and for the past two years, participated in the OROC (Outrun Ovarian Cancer) event at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, where she was proudly represented by a team of 30 runners/walkers known as the "DiNunzio Divas and Dudes." For over 50 years Lillyan was a loyal member of a card group affectionately referred to as "The Club Girls." Originally a 500 bid club, poker became their game of choice. Lillyan also loved to bowl, and most recently was a member of the Alley Cats League at AMRON Lanes in Canfield until her illness forced her to quit in 2012.
Lillyan loved to do crossword puzzles and especially enjoyed playing Slots and Blackjack at various casinos. Though she accomplished many things in her life, Lillyan always felt that her greatest accomplishment was raising her seven beautiful children. Like any Mom, her love for each of them was unconditional and she expressed that love in countless ways.
She leaves to cherish her memory, four daughters, Michele (Joe) Ischkum of Columbiana, Debbie (Stan) Boney of Boardman, Amy (Tom) Leskovac of Austintown and Lori (Steve) Kurimski of Canfield; three sons, Ray (Peggy) DiNunzio of Arlington, Va., Frank DiNunzio of Boardman and Mark (Pam) DiNunzio of Chandler, Ariz.; one sister, Donna Jean Hofus of Girard; a brother Michael D. Anzevino Jr. of Austintown; 14 grandchildren, Jennifer Ischkum, Julie (Robert) Duritza and Joe Ischkum, Mollie Boney, Ray, Phil and Andy DiNunzio, Tommy, Nicholas, Nathan and Alyssa Leskovac, Chris, Alexa and Braedon Kurimski; one great-granddaughter, Gabriella Duritza; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Ray; a sister, Maria Elena Anzevino; a niece, Adele Anzevino; and a nephew, Tony Anzevino.
Friends may visit at the funeral home from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday and from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, prior to the prayer service.
The family wishes to express their deep gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Steven Waggoner who lovingly and compassionately cared for Lillyan and to Hospice of the Valley for their guidance and support.
Memorial contributions may be made in Lillyan's memory to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at University Hospital, 11100 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106.