Lieselotte (Lilo) Dreiling, resident of Burlington, Ontario passed away on July 15, 2019 at the Creekway Village Long term care, at the age of 92 years. Lilo was born in Kassel, Germany to Johannes Karl Noll and Elise Knierim. She and her younger brother Karl were raised during difficult times in Europe, facing second world war, depression, loss of both parents at a very tender age, she had no choice but to mature quickly. She married her soul mate: Bernard Dreiling (Kassel) in 1945. Along with their son Ralph born in 1948, they decided to immigrate to Canada by boat in 1954. At the age of 27, speaking only native language and having no formal academic education, but an obligation to fulfill her role as wife and mother, she eagerly undertook the challenge. Fuelled by love and passion for a better life, Lilo made it happen. From taking and doing any job available to opening and running with her husband a successful business in Hamilton, and Burlington known as “Overseas Furniture” which closed their doors in 1995 – is only a part of what she THOUGHT she will be known for. Prior to closure of the business, she become a fulltime caregiver to her husband, shortly after -a mother who had to bear the grievance of their son loss in 1997, carrying the pain in loneliness as her husband with Alzheimer would keep asking “where is Ralph?”. After the loss of her husband in may of 1999, when life felt and appeared meaningless, Lilo transcended any personal and external expectations in becoming a great friend to many, in touching the lives of people with her vibrancy, eagerness and joyfulness for interpersonal /social connection. Her interest was in developing meaningful connections similar to the one she had and would have still wanted to have with her family. She lived for and through the life experiences of others. The connections become her inspiration, motivation and fuel for life in return. She entertained socially, and brought her amazing recipes on the table with outmost upper-class. She passed on skills of making proper “Drip-German coffee through the “kaffeeklatsch “. Unlike many women, she loved sports: hockey, soccer and tennis. After having a heart attack in 2004 she bounced back to life with full force until 2013-2014 when life started to slow down in many ways and Lilo had to make amendments with loosing independence and having to move to a nursing home. If war and life had been a challenge she mastered willingly, the thought of having to experience the loss of independence was something she was not going to negotiate. If there was anything in life that she was not going to do or accept was to be “placed in a home with older people”. With the great help of Creek-way Village staff , Dr Kovacs, volunteer Kathy and friends, Lilo surpassed graciously what she opposed the most. While there, amongst other chronic issues she had to face and bravely accept the diagnoses of breast cancer in 2017 without a non and invasive intervention/treatment.
Lilo will be known for exquisite presence, elegance, intricacy, humorous attitude, her kindred, warrior –sensitive and young spirit, courage, tremendous resilience, ability to connect to people uniquely different while attending these relationships faithfully, for her selfless nature, integrity and gravitas!
She is survived by Helga Noll (sister in law) and predeceased by Ralph (son), Bernard (spouse), and Karl (brother).
She will be sadly missed by Helga Noll, “adopted daughter” Dariana Paraschiv and her family, by her supportive “Golden Girls”: Pauline, Pam, Marg and Renata, her life long friends worldwide.
As per her requests, no viewing will be held, as she would like to be remembered alive. She will be cremated on July 18, 2019.
Lilo’s Celebration of life will be held with her friends privately in August, date, time ,location address will be announced. A special “thank you” gathering will be held at the Creekway village, DOC to be notified. Many thanks to ALL the staff at Creek-way Village!
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Lilo Dreiling Monday July 15th 2019..
Décès pour la Ville:Stoney-Creek, Province: Ontario