Lillian Haliw

February 20, 1935 - December 12, 2012 Lillian Haliw 77, of Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Passed away Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at Collier Hospice in Wheat Ridge. She was born February 20, 1935 to parents John and Jennie Skrjanc in Denver, Colorado, immigrants from Austria and Slovenia. She was the youngest of four children. Loving wife of Harry who preceded her in death; mother to Jerome (Kari) Haliw, Debra (David) Ziegler; grandchildren Michael and Ashleigh Haliw. Growing up in Globeville she attended Holy Rosary Church and School (1-8), and North High School (9-12). At school she would sing in the choir and won awards for her handwriting. As a young girl, she helped with the daily house chores and learned to sew and cook from her mother Jennie. As she grew, she helped with the gardening and the raising of the chickens. She loved making trips to downtown Denver with her father on the trolley. She would sit and listen to radio broadcasts of baseball games and the Green Hornet. Other pastimes would include sitting on the front porch and counting the railroad cars as they passed by her home. She was very outgoing and made friends easily. She spent many of hours playing with the Grande's next door. Still in grade school, World War II arrived and all three of her brothers, Frank, John and Tony, went into military service. She would watch her mom pray the rosary throughout each day to bring her bothers home safely. While the country still recovered from the great depression, money was tight. A letter home from Tony included an incredible gift of a dollar bill for Lilly. Still in school, all of her bothers returned from the war. When a new invention came along, her family was able to purchase and new black and white television. She would spend time watching the Ed Sullivan show, the Mickey Mouse Club while drinking a Pepsi and eating potato chips. After graduation, she worked downtown at the five and dime store and eventually worked at Neusteaders Department store where she ran the elevator. She eventually obtained a job working for Colorado National Bank operating the NCR machines. Her outstanding knowledge and skill elevated her to supervisor. This allowed her to purchase her dream car, a yellow 1957 Cadillac Convertible. As a young woman, she was very outgoing and enjoyed going dancing with friends at the Slovenian Hall and at the Zanzibar. She also enjoyed cruising Colfax and 16th streets, water skiing on Sloan's Lake and carried a league bowling average in the 160's. She enjoyed 50's music and loved Elvis Presley which she attend a concert of, at the Coliseum. She also lived with her cousin Margie for a time. She also made a notable trip to California with her lifelong friend Dorothy. Engaged to be married to the love of her life, Harry, her father passed away 2 months before the wedding in 1962. Pushing forward the wedding took place. Lillian was incredibly happy and was an unbelievably beautiful bride. Sending out 400 invitations, there was over 1000 people in attendance of the wedding and reception. The couple spent their honeymoon in Las Vegas at the Dessert Inn. In 1964 she would have her first child, Jerry. Within 8 months of the birth, Lillian experienced a sever seizure which lead to brain surgery in 1965. With incredible doctors, a strong religious belief and oversight from God, she survived. This however, resulted in the right side of her body being paralyzed in which she would have limited use of the rest of her life. Her recovery was driven by the need to raise her son and was done with tremendous support of family and friends. A short 3 years later she would have her second “Miracle” child, Debbie. As a homemaker and unable to obtain a job, she dedicated herself and her life to raising her children. This lifelong task was made more difficult in having to deal with my family issues. This was often challenging and exceedingly difficult and was hard on Lillian, but somehow she made it work for her children. She would spend her time taking her children to school and sports events. She loved being “Team Mother” for baseball and was known for her “must have” special cottage cheese jello-salad at the team banquets. She had a warm personality and had an intrinsic love for her children as well as any child she would meet. After her children left the nest and started families on our own, she spent her time spoiling her grandchildren. During the last several decades, she would spend time with her friends enjoying gambling in Central City, attending the “Ray's Table” Ladies Luncheon and bowling. Some of the most enjoyable time she spent was at weekly bingo and playing pickles with her close friends and making friends with everyone at bingo. She never missed her favorite soap “Day's of Our Lives”  she had seen nearly every episode for the last 45 years. She enjoyed watching football and the Broncos. She also enjoyed several long running game shows and kept her mind sharp by working word search puzzles. The last years of her life she spent enjoying her children and grandchildren. Through all the difficult times it should be noted that, as challenging of a relationship Lillian and Harry had they truly loved each other. Harry spent his last years being her primary care giver. Taking care of her very much renewed their marriage. This past May, they would have been married 50 years. A person's life is defined by their Character Lillian was a very outgoing, warm person. She made friends everywhere she went. There was not a single person that didn't like Mom. Everyone always found her to be a kind, sweet, sweet individual. She was very strong in her religious beliefs. She attended church weekly throughout her entire life. She experienced many difficult times in her life and always overcame them and sacrificed for her children. We all have our crosses to bear. If you were to meet Lillian for the first time, you would have no idea what she had overcome in her life time. You see she was a walking miracle and without a doubt is with GOD. MOM you are our HERO.