Lillian Rita Straight, age 100, of Somerford House Assisted Living, Newark, DE, formerly of Claymont, DE, passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1924 to Mary (Ekl) Branch and Joseph Branch, she graduated from Nativity Grade School and Holy Ghost Academy for Girls. Lillian worked for several years at Bell Telephone Co. in downtown Pittsburgh at the Point.

Lillian married in1946 to Jack D.  Straight after he served in the Army during World War II and eventually transferred to Delaware with Western Electric Company and settled in Claymont in 1958.  Lillian was employed by Electrical Workers of Delaware Local 313 in New Castle, Delaware as a secretary in the union hall.  Lillian was devout Catholic and longtime member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Claymont.  She belonged to the Brandywine Senior Center for years and taught country line dancing, enjoying her friends.  She was an avid Bowler for many years at Holiday Lanes and obtained many trophies.  Another interest was bingo, which she enjoyed in her later years at Somerford.  Lillian enjoyed many trips and cruises, time at the beach in Rehoboth, as well as gardening and flowers.  She was a great mother, a beautiful, sweet lady who was very fashionable. She will be sorely missed.

Lillian was predeceased by her husband, Jack in 2011; her sister, Margie (Branch) Boylan; brother-in-law, James; brothers, Joseph Branch, Robert Branch and infant brother, Jimmy Branch; son-in-law, Kenneth M. Freemark Jr.; and daughter-in-law, Mary Ann (Wilson) Straight.

Surviving are her loving children, Karen Ciaffi Freemark, John Wayne Straight and James Allen Straight (Margie); loving grandchildren, Michael Ciaffi (Gina), Michelle (Straight) Spangler, DVM (Sam), Joseph Straight, MD (Lyndsay), Erin (Straight) Riddick (Jim), Andrew Straight (Meg) and J.R. Nessley (Jennifer); loving great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Anthony Ciaffi, Sarah, Caleb and Noah Spangler. Jolie, William and Audrey Straight, Emma Riddick, Julia, Ellie and Lily Straight, Tori Nessley, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Many thanks to Compassionate Care Hospice who cared for Lil for 2 yrs, the Caregivers at Somerford and Bob Harding, minister who prayed with her.

A viewing will be held Monday, February 10, 2025 from 6-8pm at Gebhart Funeral Home, 3401 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703.  An additional viewing will be held at Church of the Holy Child, 2500 Naamans Road, Wilmington, DE 19810 on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 from 10am until 11am, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11am.  Burial will follow in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear DE. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon after the burial at La Casta Pasta, 120 Four Seasons Parkway, Newark, DE 19702.

To offer condolences, please visit:

Gebhartfuneralhomes.com

302,798.7726