Lillian Speck

Lilly went to heaven peacefully on May 15, 2024. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the late Umberto and Salvatrice Crimi. After high school Lilly worked as a secretary at Harley Davidson. There she met many lifelong friends. For many years they met monthly. She and her sister Aida were known as the Crimi Cones entertaining at company functions. Lilly was married to the love of her life, Johnny, on November 18, 1950. He passed away on February 28, 2002, after 51 wonderful years of marriage. After her two kids were older, Lilly was a foster mom and worked as a CNA taking care of her patients with loving care. Lilly had many hobbies including knitting, sunbathing, biking, dancing, going to church festivals and was an avid reader. She also loved mysteries, movie magazines, dining out, rock & roll, including Elvis and Elizabeth Taylor, and a good martini and a cigarette. But most of all she cherished time with her family! She was a wonderful mom and grandma. She took great pleasure in spoiling her grandkids. Lilly spent most of her life in Milwaukee. She moved to Caledonia, WI in her later years to be closer to her daughter. Lilly is survived by her son, John Speck; daughter, Vicki S. (Dale) Barke; grandchildren: Tim (Carla) Mote, Ali Mote and Katie Barke; great-grandchildren: Jake Lupa, Jessica and Jaxon Mote; brother, Bert (Sally) Crimi; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Beside her parents and husband, Lilly was preceded in death by her sisters: Aida (Bruce) Spurrier and Sandra (Roger) Raguse; nephew, Dylan Hendrickson; and her little dogs: Baby and Buffy. A celebration of Lilly’s life will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home in Racine on Saturday, June 8, 2024, beginning with a visitation at 10:00 AM until the time of a memorial service at 11:00 AM. A private interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Milwaukee. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family for charities yet to be determined have been suggested. Please visit www.wilsonfuneralhomeinc.com to share online condolences and memories of Lilly. Special thanks to the staff at Parkview Gardens, especially Leslie and Crystal and to the staff at Heartland Hospice, Kyla and Angie for their loving, compassionate care. Lilly’s favorite quote was, “I’ve had a wonderful life.” Lilly lives in the hearts of all of us who loved her! She will always be the “Wind Beneath Our Wings.”