HAMDEN - Lillian Jean Kohnken, 91, of Hamden and, more recently, Poughquag, passed into the Kingdom of God on Dec. 31, 2016.

She was born on Nov. 16, 1925, to Joseph and Lillian (nee Briggs) Gillow, and grew up in New York City.

On May 3, 1952, she married Henry Edwin Kohnken. Together they lived in East Meadow, for much of their life together and raised three children, Russell (wife, Christine), Douglas, and Laura (husband, Stephen). Following Henry's retirement from the New York City Fire Department, they moved to Hamden. There they were active members of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

After Henry died in 1993, Lillian remained in the Hamden community and greatly valued her friends and faith. After living her whole life with others, she grew in her abilities and independence to thrive on her own for 20 years. When her health began to fail her, she moved in with her daughter, Laura, and husband, Stephen Davie, in Poughquag.

Lillian was always a loving wife, mother, and friend. Her family now has grown from her three children to seven grandchildren, Rebecca, Philip, Joseph, Timothy, Anna, Samantha, and Allison; and three great-grandchildren, Daniel, Gianna, and Mason. We all hold her in our hearts.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 6, at Hall & Peet Funeral Home, 134 Main St. Delhi. A funeral service at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Andes Road, Delhi, will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 7, with the Rev. John Priest officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Delhi, or Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care in Oneonta.

Please visit www.hallandpeet.com to share a condolence with Lillian's family.