In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Stephen’s Church in Gilroy, the Gilroy Historical Society or Hospice of Santa Cruz County. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 P.M., May 1, 2016, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Gilroy. Condolences at www.habingfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Lillian passed away peacefully, April 16, 2016, at her daughter’s house in Soquel, having recently celebrated her 95th birthday.
Born and raised on a family ranch in San Martin in the beautiful Santa Clara Valley, Lillian learned self-sufficiency from growing up during the Great Depression. As a result, she valued saving for rainy days and cherishing blessings throughout her life.
Lillian went through San Martin schools and graduated from Morgan Hill High School, where she served as student body president and was involved in sports and music. It was there that she met the love of her life, Kendall. Throughout her life, she stayed close to family and her unconditional love showed through in all she did as she cherished family time together.
After graduating from San Jose State University with a teaching degree, she taught in King City with her dear friend, Mary Gomez.
In 1945, Lillian and Kendall were married in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Gilroy and enjoyed 63 beautiful years of marriage together. They first moved to San Jose, where she continued to teach, putting many of the lessons she had learned at the farm to new use in teaching children.
In 1950, Lillian and Kendall settled in Gilroy, renovating an 1860s historical home.
Over the years, she and Kendall also built and renovated several homes in Gilroy.
While raising her two children, she was very involved in their activities and in the community, especially with St. Stephen’s Church, the Gilroy Museum and Library, the Cancer Society Shop and her Tea and Spirits Group.
During retirement, she and Kendall enjoyed spending time at her family ranch in San Martin, being an active part of her grandchildren’s lives and making several trips to Alaska to visit her son, Tim.
Lillian was preceded in death by her husband, Kendall Pine, and siblings, Elizabeth Steidley and Elmer Herback. She leaves behind children, Elizabeth (Michael) Musal of Soquel and Tim Pine of Anchorage; her niece, Jeri (Nathan) Olivas; sister-in-law, Margaret West; grandchildren, Stephen, Christina and Jeffrey Musal; Mike and Danielle Cooley and greatgrandchildren, Deandra, Stephen and Cordova Cooley; nephews, Joel West and Phil and Greg Herback; niece, Mary McGeeney; grandnieces, Cindy Wilson, Nancy Torres, Katy West and Erin McGeeney; grandnephews, Nathan Olivas and Brendan McGeeney; and many other loving family members.
