Anne G. Czuchna

Age 81, passed away gently in the arms of the Lord surrounded by family and friends, Saturday, June 18, 2016. She was a school teacher, world traveler and Bridge Life Master. As much love and pride she had for these things, the love for her family trumped it all. Anne taught for Kalamazoo Public Schools for more than 27 years. She earned her BA and Masters in Education from WMU and a Specialist degree from MSU. Education was extremely important to her and her students benefited from her passion. Anne and her husband Carl enjoyed their retirement traveling the world. Their adventures took them from Europe to Asia and the Middle East. After losing Carl in 2008, Anne continued to travel to Germany, Cuba and around the US. Anne and Carl were not only partners in life, but Bridge partners too. They traveled around the Midwest and southern U.S. playing in Bridge tournaments, where she eventually earned Life Master Bridge status. Family was fiercely important to her. Her five children allowed her to be a grandmother 17 times over. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl G. Czuchna; son, Gregory Lilly and grandsons, Tyler and Charles Lilly. Survivors include her son, Dr. Bryan (Karen) Lilly, and their children, Meredith, Marc, Lauren and Alexis Lilly; daughter in-law, Susan Fitzgerald and her children, Mason and Hannah Lilly; daughter in-law, Becky Laney and her children, Tela and Trent Lilly and Dawson Laney; daughter, Anatolie (Peter) Kovacevich and their children, Joseph (Brittney) and Clara Kovacevich; son, Thomas (Kristine) Lilly and their children, Nicholas and Megan Lilly; daughter, Charlene (Kevin) Dwyer and their daughters, Lilly and Abby Dwyer. Anne bonded her family with travel and “Grandma Trips” creating a link between the cousins that is truly unbreakable. She took them to Spain, Paris, Niagara Falls and all across the U.S. She loved her friends and family so much and will be missed by all.