Lillian Humenik Darula
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beautiful Lillian Humenik Darula (91), loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She passed away peacefully on January 10th. She was born at United Hospital in Portchester, NY on March 31, 1932, and lived in Greenwich her entire life before retiring to Ocean Ridge, FL.
Lillian met her husband, Calvin John Darula, the love of her life, at age 16. She always said she liked him immediately because he was honest, sincere, quiet, thoughtful, and just plain nice. Their courtship lasted 4 years; they then hurried their wedding date when he got drafted during the Korean War. Together they achieved much, creating a close-knit family and building a beautiful life together of 71 years, having two daughters and one son. Lillian was radiant, graceful, selfless, resilient, fashionable, generous, empathetic, and a source of great strength always for her family. She lived her life with love as her guiding principle. She will always be remembered for finding joy in gathering/entertaining family and friends, particularly at the holidays or at the Greenwich Boat & Yacht Club. She was also the founder of the Glenville Senior Citizens; her members were like a second family to her and even today, members and their families still recall the wonderful trips all over the world that Lillian arranged. She would always seek opportunities to give back to her community and was also an active member of both the Sacred Heart Church Ladies Guild and Commission on Aging.
Lillian will also lovingly be remembered for making incredibly delicious meals, telling wonderful stories, demonstrating great wisdom, advice, and courage, showing unconditional love and support to her family and doting on her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Lillian was filled with joy for living and love for her family. Nothing made her happier than being with her children and their families – the house was always ready, the pantry always full, and the door and her arms always open! Lillian and Cal took many family vacations with their children and grandchildren - - we will always have the fondest memories of their vacation home in Vermont, summers at Woodloch Pines and multiple cruises.
Lillian loved golfing, fishing, boating, birds, flowers (having worked many years at the Colony Flower Shop), music, and generously shared her passions and knowledge with family and friends. She frequently told others her only ambition in life was to be a good wife and mother – she certainly far exceeded expectations in this regard.
Lillian is survived by her loving husband of 71 years who adored his beautiful wife from the moment he laid eyes on her. They were each other’s soul mate and shared extraordinary love and faith. Lillian and Cal shared a sense of adventure and loved to travel. They enjoyed nothing more than planning their next trip and explored many parts of the world together, visiting a great variety of places including Europe, Alaska, the Panama Canal and the Mexican Riviera.
Lillian is also survived by her son and two daughters and their spouses: Karen and Bruce Turnbull of Boynton Beach, FL, Maureen and Tom Dunkerton of Danbury, CT, and her son Calvin and Barbara Darula of Greenwich, CT. She also leaves behind five grandchildren (Bruce Turnbull, Christopher Turnbull, Jeffrey Dunkerton, Matthew Darula, Jonathan Darula) and eight great-grandchildren. Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Theresa Humenik; her two sisters Maria Lucas and Joanne Dupay; and a greatgrandchild, Lily Dunkerton.
The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the staff at Nathanial Witherell for their care and support.
A date for a mass and celebration of life will be announced at a later time.