Obituary of Lillian Therese Wisniewski

Lillian Therese Wisniewski, 95, a resident of New Canaan, Connecticut, and formerly of Sayreville, New Jersey, passed away at Norwalk Hospital on June 13, 2021 with her loving family and caregivers by her side. 

Lillian was born on May 8, 1926, in Highland Park New Jersey to the late August and Maria Muscle where she was raised with her three siblings; August Jr., Mary and Noel. Always a talented young dancer and gymnast growing up, she graduated from St. Peter’s High School before heading off to work as an aid at the Pentagon during WWII.  

Throughout the war Lillian corresponded with the late Thomas Bernard “Tuma” Wisniewski, a Navy man aboard the USS Wasp who would become her beloved husband for 48 years after the war ended.  The couple built their home and their life together in Sayreville, New Jersey, where Tom grew up with his three brothers and sister and was a local football hero.

During this generative time in their lives, Lillian and Tom welcomed their first and only child, daughter Holly Wisniewski Mensching, into the world and the center of their lives.  Together the family contributed their creative talents to community events, with Lillian designing and creating costumes for dance and skating productions, while husband Tom designed and built the sets. Always an excellent cook, Lillian designed and baked wedding cakes for many lucky brides while also working with the Sayreville Board of Education as Cafeteria Manager where students, faculty and colleagues adored her for over 25 years.

Always generous with her family and friends, Lillian’s heart, ears and door were always open to all who needed her. She was known for her understated sense of humor and her gentle, kind and generous nature. 

Following the death of her husband, Lillian moved to New Canaan in 2008 to live near her daughter Holly and her husband William Mensching, as well as their expanding family.  During these years she took great pride in being able to participate in family events and endeavors.  She became part of the St. Aloysius parish community throughout these years and always felt grateful for the comfort and joy that her faith brought to her.

Lillian is survived by her daughter Holly Mensching and son-in-law William Mensching, who have been New Canaan residents for the past 34 years; Grandson Maxwell and wife Meghan Mensching who were married recently on June 19; William and wife Erin of Fairfield, Connecticut; Greg and wife Laura of Atlanta, Georgia; as well as five beautiful great-grandchildren-- Lily, Taylor, Hayden, Summer and William.

A visitation/celebration will be held at Hoyt Funeral Home in New Canaan on Tuesday, June 29^th, between the hours of 4 and 7 p.m including a prayer service which begins at 4pm led by Father Ian, formerly of St. Aloysius. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Church in South Amboy, New Jersey on Thursday, July 1^st.  Burial will follow the mass, and will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Parlin, New Jersey, where she will rejoin her husband Tom in everlasting peace.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to St. Aloysius church at www.starcc.com on their online giving page, under “miscellaneous”, noting donation to “Homebound Ministry” in Lillian’s name; or a charity of your choice.