Lillian C. Wanio, 96, of Boynton Beach and Delray Beach, Florida, passed away on April 23, 2024.  She is survived by her son, Charles Paul Wanio and her daughter, Deborah Lynn Chamberlin, and grandson, Joseph and great-grandson, Jacob.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, 840 George Bush Blvd, Delray Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 11AM with burial to follow at 1PM at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lane #3.

Lillian was born and raised in East Chicago, Indiana, where she attended St. Stanislaw Elementary School and Roosevelt High School.  She loved to sing and was in the choir as well as acting in many plays.  She was known for always finding the best in others, her friendly nature and having a soft spot for the "down and out."

In 1949, she married Charles C. Wanio (Chuck) whom she met in East Chicago.  They lived for ten years in Munster, Indiana, then moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1959 with their two children.  Lillian and Chuck started a business building homes and decorating them.

In time, they were building in the most prestigious neighborhoods in Ft. Lauderdale and surrounding areas.

Because of Lillian's artistic talents and ability to decorate fine, quality homes and establishing The House of Décor, it was assumed that she had a degree and extensive background.  What she actually had was a secret… She was completely self-taught.  It all came naturally to her.  She also dabbled in art and loved creating various clothing or hats and bonnets (when they were popular) as well as cutting and styling hair for many of her neighbors.

When her husband began showing symptoms of dementia, she became his caretaker at home for three years until he passed away in 2017.  Three years later, she began showing signs of dementia herself and moved into an assisted living and then memory care facility for three years where she passed away.

She was quite a character, always complimenting people, smiling and befriending everyone she came into contact with.  It was touching how many people were affected and felt her loss when she rather rapidly declined and passed away.  Her son, daughter and aide, Maria, were at her bedside with the help of Trustbridge Hospice care.

Her battle with dementia and associated agitation are now at an end.  What will be most remembered, is how she also had moments of lucid thought, a real sense of humor and joy in people.  She fell a few times, but always bounced back with spunk.  She will be sorely missed as we wish her God's love and guidance into a new life.