Obituary
Lilli R. Senuta of Ledyard, CT and Mesa, AZ, passed away in Mesa on March 3, 2024 at the age of 88, after a brief pneumonia illness complicated by COPD. At her passing, she was surrounded by her husband Thomas, sons Hans and Thomas, Jr. and daughter-in-law Michelle.
Lilli was born in Fredrichsdorf, Besarabia, Romania to Imanuel and Pauline Rath. One of four children, she grew up during WWII. When she was 5 years old, her family lived in a German colony in Romania. They were forced to leave their home due to invading Russians who took their house, farm and cattle. Her mother took her four children to Poland using a horse and wagon. Her father was drafted into the German army in WWII. He was wounded in Italy and became an American POW. From Poland, they went to war-torn Germany settling in Bernhausen near Stuttgart.
A single mother in 1959, Lilli met an American soldier, Thomas Senuta, whom she married in 1962 in Bernhausen Germany. They were married for 62 years. In late 1962, she and her husband came to the United States with her young son, Hans and then welcomed another son Thomas Jr. They lived in Norwich, CT for a few years until 1970 when they bought a new house in Ledyard, CT where they have lived for 54 years. In 1965, Lilli and her son became American citizens.
Lilli went to school in Germany and then later to a sewing and tailoring school in Stuttgart, Germany, where she became a master seamstress.
She was employed by John Meyer of Norwich, CT for over 23 years where she began as a sewer and went on to become the Quality Control manager. She loved her job at John Meyer and all the people who worked with her loved her.
For many years, she not only served as President, but also sat on the Board of Directors of the German Cultural Society.
Lilli was a talented artist. She created several beautiful paintings that are displayed throughout her home. She was also an artist in the garden. Gardening was one of her passions. She enjoyed digging in the earth and every spring, summer and fall she would plant flowers while also maintaining a large vegetable garden. She loved her home and her yard was her pride and joy.
She loved watching all the different birds in her yard. Cardinals were her favorite and there were always humming birds zipping around.
One of Lilli's happy places was at the family cabin in Vermont, where she could relax and enjoy nature.
Lilli also enjoyed going clamming with her kayak in Rhode Island. She loved seafood and lobster was one of her favorite dishes. And as everyone knows, martinis were her favorite cocktail!
Lilli loved card games like Hand and Foot and board games like Scrabble which was her favorite. She and her husband also played team bocce ball while wintering in Arizona.
Lilli also loved to travel back to Germany to be with family and old friends.
Lilli was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, two brothers, her son Rolfe and grandson Benjamin Senuta.
She leaves behind her husband Thomas, daughter Elke in Germany, son Hans and his wife Michelle, son Thomas Jr. and his wife April, brother-in-law Bill and sister-in-law Sharon. She was also Oma to 5 grandsons, 2 granddaughters and 6 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be from 1:00-4:00 on August 17, 2024, at Valentino's Restaurant, 725 Colonel Ledyard Hwy, Ledyard CT.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or a charity of your choice.
Lilli was a beautiful person. We know you are in heaven in God's loving arms. We miss you. May you rest in peace.
Gallery
Memory wall
So sorry for your loss and I hope you are doing ok. It has been a long time since we worked together but I recall how special Lili was to you. You are in my prayers.
Sincerely
Kevin
I'm so sorry to hear of Lilly's passing. She was an amazing woman.
She enjoyed people and I was lucky enough to be one of them. When Cliff and I visited at your home she was always the greatest host. She would always share her garden hints, but not her martinis.
she will be missed by many,,
Love and prayers to you and your family.
August 17th 1 to 4 pm
Valentine's Restaurant
725 Colonel Ledyard Highway
Ledyard, CT
So sorry for your loss. I did not know Lilli, but she sounded like a wonderful person and had quite an interesting life and was loved by all. Rozann
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Always kind and loving. A friend to all.
I loved her like a sister. Rest in peace, you earned it. 🙏
