Lillian M. (Stank) Zabadal

Lillian M. Zabadal, 96, entered into everlasting life on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. She was predeceased by her husband, Theodore; her parents, Stephen & Theresa Stank; her sister, Betty Bohunicky; brothers, Albert and John Stank; son-in-law, Charles Lehmann. She is survived by four children; Gary (Miki) Zabadal, Kathy Zabadal-Lehmann, George Zabadal, Lori & Tim Dayton; four grandchildren; Jennifer Dayton, Zachary (Rochelle) Zabadal, Jesse Dayton, Tristan Lehmann; one great-granddaughter, Reggie Zabadal; daughter-in-law, Darlene Zabadal; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Lillian was a devoted member of the Church of the Holy Trinity (formerly St. Ann's.) Lillian was a retired employee of the Broome Co. Department of Health.  Special thanks to Guthrie Hospice at Home nurses and aides, the Mercy House staff and Superior Ambulance. Family will receive friends starting at 4 PM on Thursday, July 11 at Bednarsky Funeral Home, Inc., 96 Glenwood Ave., Binghamton, and will be invited to share remembrances from 6:30 to 7 PM. On Friday July 12, visitation will be held from 10 AM until the time of Mass at 11 AM at Church of the Holy Trinity, 346 Prospect St., Binghamton. Entombment will be in Vestal Hills Memorial Park at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mercy House or Church of the Holy Trinity. Lillian’s life revolved around her family and faith. One of her greatest joys was her grandchildren (Jen, Zach, Jesse and Tristan) and acknowledging them in special ways. From birthdays to holidays to graduation celebrations, sporting events, dance recitals and Chuck E Cheese. “Gramma Z” was always right there encouraging, supporting and providing endless love. She cherished the simple pleasures of playing kickball with her grandkids, enjoying popsicles and summertime conversations on her front porch and family time in her living room where her candy dishes were always full. The best scrambled eggs ever were the ones served by Gramma Z! Last July, her grandmother pride upleveled to great-grandmother. She was overjoyed to hug and hold her little Reggie (parents Zachary and Rochelle). Weekly family game time around her kitchen table started in 2020 and lasted until her recent illness. Her keen intellect could be credited to her passion for crossword puzzles and word searches. On her own time, she was a big fan of The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful and Judge Judy. She frequently bought Lotto scratch offs and usually had a winner! She enjoyed her once-a-month outings to Tioga Downs Casino and usually left with more money than she came with. Lillian was notorious for sending out the most thoughtful “Hallmark cards” to all her friends and family for those special occasions, always including a handwritten note and often tucking in a Lotto Scratch off. The only time she was heard singing was at church on Sundays. She was a proud parishioner of Church of the Holy Trinity where she attended Mass with her parents and siblings from youth into her 90s. She took particular interest in caring for birds. For decades, she filled her feeders and admired a variety of birds while looking out her kitchen window or sitting on her porch.
Lillian was an extrovert, a social butterfly, always ready to greet others with friendliness and words of wisdom. Her telephone was always ringing. When the caller asked what she was up to, her typical response, “I just finished cleaning my kitchen floor.” Her motto was “keep moving!” Her stubbornness surfaced especially when it came to snow shoveling and mowing her lawn, which she did up until her early 90s (against her children’s best wishes). She was an extremely active church volunteer (BINGO, brunches, fundraisers, holiday decorating, Altar Rosary Society, and so much more!) She was a recipient of the Immaculata Award in honor and recognition of her service to the church.  She loved dogs and sometimes reminisced about dogs from past years. Lobo, Chance and Lucky were a few favorites. She enjoyed visits from her grand-dogs Bastian and Zoe and always had a personal stash of dog treats for them. Lillian took pride in her Slovak heritage. She was well known for her holubki, kolachki, cheesecake, congo squares, and Texas sheet cake. She was meticulous about her appearance and looked forward to her weekly hair appointments. At 58 years, after the loss of her husband in 1986, she gradually transformed into a highly active and most admirable woman of inner strength and independence. Her service-oriented heart kept her in motion serving others with a smile and words of encouragement. She helped people she knew as well as complete strangers. In honor and memory of Lillian, consider calling, visiting or sending a card with a handwritten note to someone that’s on your mind. For 38 years, she survived the loss of her true love, Ted. She remained faithful to him to the end. She waited nearly four decades to finally reunite with her accordion-playing husband. Did he play Blue Skirt Waltz for her, as she entered through the gates of heaven?

Lyrics to Blue Skirt Waltz - Songwriters: Mitchell Parish / Vaclav Blaha

I wandered alone one night
Til I heard an orchestra play
I met you when lights were bright
And people were carefree and gay
I was the beautiful lady in blue
I was in Heaven just waltzing with you
You thrilled me with strange delight
Then softly you strolled away
I dream of that night with you
Lady, when first we met
We danced in a world of blue
How can my heart forget?
Blue were the skies
And blue were your eyes
Just like the blue skirt you wore
Come back blue lady come back
Don't be blue anymore
I dream of that night with you
Lady, when first we met
We danced in a world of blue
How can my heart forget?
Blue were the skies
And blue were your eyes
Just like the blue skirt you wore
Come back blue lady come back
Don't be blue anymore

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