Lillian Veronica (Oberman) Syms

Lillian Veronica Oberman Syms was born on February 11, 1931 on the lower south side of  Youngstown.  As the youngest of eight Oberman siblings, Lillian experienced the wonderful, and trying, raucous events an immigrant family does. She attended St. Stanislaus Kôstka church and elementary school; later graduating from South High School and Youngstown Cosmetology school in 1949.
She loved to sing. Lily always said, "There's a song for everything." She was quite a little hummingbird. As a member of the St. Cecilia choir at St. Stan's from her pre-teen years till into her 60's, Lil was a soprano.
Lillian spent her years as a young woman successfully running Lillian's Beauty Shop on Fifth Avenue on Youngstown's north side. She had a dedicated clientele of women of whom she later regaled her children with stories.
After meeting Robert "Shank" Szymkiewicz at the north side Polish Legion of American Veterans hall at a holiday dance in 1956, she fell madly in love.
One evening in their early courtship, she proclaimed to his older brother John Koc , "I'm going to marry him before the year is out." And, in November, she did. Soul mates and true loves till their dying days, they experienced life as many young couples growing together did, building their relationship, rearing their four children, struggling to achieve their American Dream.
In the 1960's while her husband was shipped out on active duty for the US Navy, Lillian was busy with her babies. Installing the help of relatives during the multi-month tours, she continued her business in their home. Their home on Adeer Drive in Canfield was her nest.
She loved planting flower gardens, watching birds (feeding all, from hawks to hummingbirds), and caring for her family. Lil had many friends in the neighborhood and a large extended family that visited often. She welcomed everyone warmly into her home and loved to throw a good party. She was a talented cook and baker, keeping her family well fed, her friends, neighbors, and family supplied with delicious treats.
Mother of four, grandmother of eight, she found her happiest moments were times spent with all of them. No one felt unloved in her realm.
She leaves her legacy with her family: Bob, (Molly) and Carly; Maria 'Missy' (Marco) and Dario; Joe, (Sherri), Tyler, Kendall, Lindsay; Mark, (Julie), Kate, Meg, and Joe; as well as brother Ben Oberman, sister Josephine Godocsik, numerous nieces and nephews and countless dear friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, Lillian was preceded in death by two brothers, Ted, and Walt Oberman; and three sisters, Bernice Chittock, Ceil Oberman, and Jennie Snyder.
We all will miss her terribly and remember her sweetly.
A prayer service will be held Saturday, 9:15 AM at the Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market Street in Boardman, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Stanislaus Kôstka Church with Rev. Edward Neroda officiating. Entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Family will receive friends Friday from 4PM until 7 PM at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to www.beckerobits.com.