After almost a century of a very rich life, Lillian Agnes (Bielik) Romaniak died peacefully on Thursday, October 8.

Lillian was born in Springfield on September 6, 1928, the youngest of five daughters of Joseph and Maryanna (Bebenek) Bielik. She grew up fluent in both Polish, her first language, and English. After she graduated from Cathedral High School in 1945, she began working for East Springfield Coal and Oil, which her father founded.

In 1948, she married Eugene Frederick Romaniak. They had three children, Susan, David and Cindy, whom they raised in a home on Chester Street in West Springfield that Gene designed and built. Lillian lived in that home from 1950 through 2026 – a remarkable 76-year residence.

Lillian retired as office manager for East Springfield Oil in 1991 but definitely did not recede to a rocking chair. She remained very active with traveling, playing bridge and creating art well into her ‘90s. Her watercolors are especially good and were featured in several shows and exhibits; many now hang in the homes of family and friends. Lillian was a longtime member and past President of the West Springfield Garden Club. And she defied geriatric stereotypes by becoming a confident user of computers and smartphones, which she used to play bridge and to keep in touch with family around the world until the last months of her life.

Always ready for travel, Lillian went on many trips with Gene during their life together. After his death, she continued to travel, visiting destinations around the country and the world. Among her favorite trips were the ones she made with her grandchildren to her mother’s hometown in Poland.

Lillian was predeceased by a great many family members, including her parents and her four sisters and their husbands: Helen and Walter Rostek Sr.; Mary and Felix “Phil” Taskey; Stella and Lawrence “Ernie” Bartyzel; and Irene and Stanley Krach. She was also predeceased by her grandson Joshua Romaniak in 1974; her husband Gene in 1983; her son David in 2013; and her nephew Bob, who was like a son to her, in 2020.

She is survived by a large family as well, including her loving daughters and their husbands, Susan and Jim Richer and Cindy Romaniak and Howard Bernard; her treasured daughter-in-law Debby Romaniak; and her de facto son Chris Paul and his wife Marge. She leaves five grandchildren – Sarah Dawson and her husband Chris; Kris Romaniak and his wife Robyn; Jane Richer; Jamie Romaniak and his companion Jess Pope; and Barry Bernard and his wife Meghan; as well as Erica Paul. Lillian was also the proud great-grandmother of eight, ranging in age from 21 years to three months: Ivan Romaniak, Grace Dawson, Lily Romaniak, Alivia Romaniak, Dillon Romaniak, Elyse Romaniak, Waylon Bernard and Aralyn Bernard. Lillian also leaves dozens of nieces and nephews, including 12 greats, 19 great-greats and one great-great-great (with another on the way). They will remember her as she asked to be remembered – as someone who truly enjoyed life and all her friends and family.

To honor and remember Lillian, family and friends are invited to gather at Toomey-O’Brien Funeral Home (1043 Westfield Street, West Springfield) from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 19. A funeral Mass at St. Thomas Church (47 Pine Street, West Springfield) will follow at 11:30 a.m.

Contributions in memory of Lillian may be made to the West Springfield Senior Center, in care of the Director Laurie Gearing, 128 Park Street, West Springfield, MA 01089-3315.