Lidia Grilliot

Lidia Grilliot of Roeland Park, KS died peacefully and gracefully Friday, May 1, 2009 at home surrounded by her family.  A memorial mass will be held 10 AM, Saturday, May 9, 2009 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 1001 E. 52nd St, Kansas City, Missouri  64110.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Catholic Worker House, 931 E 31st Street, KCMO 64109 or Christian Foundation for Children & Aging, 1 Elmwood Ave, Kansas City, KS 66103.

Lidia was born in Pitrufquén, Chile on August 3, 1939.  She was raised on a farm, one of 8 sisters and 2 brothers.  She became a teacher, with 65 students in her first class.  In 1971, she married Joseph Grilliot in Chile and then moved to Kansas City.  She had two children, Marvin and Charlie.

In the United States, she worked as a house cleaner, janitor, school cook, and nurse’s aide.  But the real work began when she came home and raised her sons with tender love.

The most important moment of her day involved eating her daily homemade meals with her family.  Throughout her life, many people enjoyed her delicious, lovingly made food.  As a person who had personally known hunger, she was determined that no one she had contact with would be hungry.  No matter the situation, she welcomed people with hospitality.  She supported her niece Cecilia when she came to the United States and counted Cecilia’s daughter Alexandra among her grandchildren.  Daughter-in-law Rachel quickly became part of the family.

When she wasn’t cooking, Lidia baked, canned, knitted, crocheted, and gardened.  This was often accompanied by prayer.  But whatever she was doing, it stopped when her grandchildren walked in the door.  Samuel and Benjamin could always get her to play Legos or hide-and-seek.  Magadalena, her first grand-daughter, was born a month before her death.

Lidia was a woman of profound faith.  She seemed to pray ceaselessly.  Throughout her two different battles with cancer, she held onto an inspiring faith despite great pain.  She will be remembered for many things including her generosity, her compassion for the poor and forgotten, her laughter, her unique English, and taste for frozen pizza. Faith, family, and food sustained her life along with the love of her many friends and these things will sustain all who knew her as well.   (arr. Heartland Cremation & Burial Society, 816-313-1677)

Condolences

  1. Brian Paul on May 4, 2009 at 9:57 am

    Marvin,
    My deepest condolences for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!
    Peace,
    Brian



  2. Brent Boydston on May 4, 2009 at 10:28 am

    Grilliot Family, You are all in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Brent and Alicia



  3. Jeff Tamasi on May 4, 2009 at 10:55 am

    Marvin,
    My condolences on your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Jeff



  4. Joe & Karin Andrade on May 4, 2009 at 11:36 am

    Grilliot Family – all of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
    God Bless you all.



  5. Michelle I. Hall on May 4, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    Although we may feel the loss of our mother, wife, nana and friend, May 1st was truely a day to rejoice and be thankful for the everlasting peace and joy Lidia Grilliot wil forever feel. We love you!



  6. Ana Melgoza on May 4, 2009 at 1:09 pm

    Familia Grilliot, We will remember Lidia as a living angel on earth, our hearts go out to your lovely family, De parte de Familia Melgoza-Calleros, San Diego, CA



  7. Brian Dinsmore on May 4, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    To the entire Grilliot family, know that our thoughts and prayers are with you~~Brian & Mary Kay.



  8. Keith and Beth Kwapiszeski on May 4, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    Marvin, we are truely sorry for your loss. Our prayers will be with you and your family.



  9. Chris Hall on May 5, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    Joe, Marvin, Rachael, Sam, Ben, Maggie, our family is blessed to have known Lidia, and find solice knowing that she shaped all the lives she came in contact with, God has truley blessed us with her and her family, thank you all for being ther for us anytime we need you.



  10. Tamy and Brad Miller on May 5, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    Charlie, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God Bless You and Care for You. Love Tamy and Brad



  11. Jenny Ritzel on May 5, 2009 at 9:05 pm

    This is a beautiful obituary and a fitting tribute to Lidia. My prayers are with all of you. I feel blessed to have had Lidia as a friend.
    Jenny



  12. Barbara Martin on May 5, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    To Lovely Lidia’s lovely family, may peace continue to be yours as it is hers. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Barbara



  13. Deniz Sinlak on May 6, 2009 at 7:14 am

    Charlie,
    Imogene and I send you our deepest sympathies at these hard times.



  14. Kathleen Tomlin on May 6, 2009 at 7:20 am

    You were so special to us – I will miss your delight of all things in life. Kathleen & Harold Tomlin and family



  15. Gina & Larry Hutchison on May 6, 2009 at 7:35 am

    Charlie, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Be strong, and God will help you through this. Love, Gina & Larry



  16. Gina & Larry Hutchison on May 6, 2009 at 7:40 am

    Charlie, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Be strong, and God will help you through this. Love, Gina & Larry



  17. Hugo Melgoza on May 6, 2009 at 8:40 am

    Marvin and Family my prayers and thoughts are with you. I am very honored to have met your mother Marvin, she welcomed everyone.



  18. Julia Ringang on May 6, 2009 at 9:36 am

    May her soul rest peacefully with our
    heavenly father.



  19. Damon Tohill on May 6, 2009 at 9:45 am

    Joseph, Charlie, Marvin, Cecilia, Rachel and kids, we are deeply sorry for the loss of such a wonderful person, but very glad we had the opportunity to have known Lidia. Although we have been away for some years, our hearts are with you.

    Damon, Cristina, Isabela & Lucas.



  20. Pedro & Carolyn Ferradas on May 6, 2009 at 10:25 am

    Dear Joe, Charlie, Marvin and family,
    We are all better for having known Lidia. Her enthusiastic love of nature and of people and her ready laugh brightened our lives. May God’s consoling love enfold you especially at this time. Lovngly, Pedro and Carolyn



  21. Donna Parrish on May 6, 2009 at 10:37 am

    Charlie, You and Your family are in my prayers. She will be greatly missed, keep in mind all your wonderful memories of your mom. She’ll always be watching you all.

    My love to you all,
    Donna Parrish



  22. Sr. Donna Ryan RSM on May 6, 2009 at 10:46 am

    Love and prayers to all of you as you honor your beautiful mother and wife, and friend. May her gentle spiriit continuue to bless all of us.



  23. Jessica Hill on May 6, 2009 at 11:11 am

    Charlie – My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Remember the happy times, she will always be with you. Jessica



  24. Jane P. Stoever on May 6, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    We recall Lidia’s strong words to the KC City Council to oppose the production of parts for nuclear weapons at the KC Plant. Lidia is with your whole family and all peace workers!



  25. Ashley Korte on May 6, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    Grilliot Family, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.



  26. Deborah Allen on May 6, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    Charlie, Your mother sounds like she was a beautiful person, I hope the memories of your mother will bring you peace and joy in the coming years. May the love of our Father bring you Peace during this difficult time. Know that you and your famuily are in my prayers.



  27. Travis Thatcher on May 6, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    Joe, Marvin and Charlie: I love you all very much and am so happy that you are in my life. I will always remember Lidia’s laughter and joy for life. God bless you all during this difficult time. Love, Travis



  28. Carol Arthur on May 6, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    Grilliot Family: My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I will always remember Lidia’s laughter as she and Ana told me stories about how they raised their children together, took family vacations together and cooked…and cooked. The two were school girls once again and I was too in their company. Thank you for the light you have shared with us all as extended family regardless of our connection. Peace and love – Carol Arthur (Travis’ Mom)



  29. Zita & Ken Brummel on May 6, 2009 at 7:51 pm

    Joe,Charlie, Marvin,Rachel,Sam,Ben,Magdalena, We’ll always remembe Lidia for her boundless generosity to all. You all are in our prayers for peace and thanksgiving.



  30. Andrew on May 6, 2009 at 9:40 pm

    God bless you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.



  31. Joe Gerard on May 6, 2009 at 9:45 pm

    We will miss Aunt Lidia very much expecilly her laugh. Our prayers are with you Uncle Joe, Marvin & Rachael, and Charlie.



  32. Beth & Dana on May 6, 2009 at 11:48 pm

    Dearest Joe and family, we are thinking of and praying for you. We are so sorry for your loss of a dear and very special soul. We love you. Beth & Dana



  33. Alilo y Carmelita on May 7, 2009 at 9:25 am

    Tio Mario, Marvin, Charlie, Cecilia y familia…With all the love i wish you my sincerest condolences. Tia will be missed abundantly, i am sadden that we (as an entire family) were not able to spend more time together and what not, her smile and laughter will always stay with me, i loved her very much, she would call me her “huachita” and she was a beautiful woman always full of grace. Her heart always welcoming and loved all those that crossed her path… when we would get together, the food, the jokes, even the sad memories that compañeros would share with her, she would find a way to see the positive or would comprehend their suffering. Con mucho cariño de parte de la lilo y carmelita. Hasta que nos veamos en el cielo tia.,…..



  34. Jim Kogel on May 7, 2009 at 7:35 pm

    I’m sure she’s enjoying being in the presence of all mighty God, his angels and saints.



  35. Bridgett & Mike on May 7, 2009 at 11:05 pm

    What a lovely tribute to a beautiful person. We are thinking of you and praying for your family at night with the girls.



  36. Christine Godin on May 7, 2009 at 11:09 pm

    Marvin and Rachel, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Lidia was a special person and she raised beautiful children. May her spirit live in all of you forever! Love, Titi



  37. Anne Berry on May 8, 2009 at 8:07 am

    Dear Marvin, Rachel, Joe, Charlie, Sam, Ben & Maggie,
    My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
    Love,
    Anne



  38. Therese Blyn on May 8, 2009 at 10:10 am

    To Uncle Joe, Charlie, Marvin and Rachel, Aunt Lidia was a real gift to our family at large. She will be sorely missed by all of us. Our prayers are with yours. Sonny and Therese and family



  39. tom adams on May 11, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    best wishes to the entire family..especially my friend Charlie….You all know how very special she was .



  40. Becca & Paul Mohally Renk on May 12, 2009 at 1:15 pm

    Dear Marvin, Rachel and Family: We were so sorry to hear of your loss. We’re holding you and your family in the light during this time, knowing that you’re surrounded by a supportive and loving community there. All our love, Becca, Paul, Eibhlin and Orla Mohally Renk, Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua



  41. Sarah Smith on May 30, 2009 at 12:16 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss… I only met Lidia a few times but will always remember her warmth and smile. You’re all in my thoughts & prayers… -Sarah



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