Lillian Claire Calihan, 89, passed away peacefully at her home on June 14, 2018 in Gold Canyon, Arizona.
Born October 9, 1928 in Pierceville, Kansas to Calvin and Viola (Douglass) Pittman, Lillian was a unique and caring individual who touched the lives of all who knew her. In 1952 she married the late Rudy Valenzuela and raised a son, Rudy G Valenzuela, and a daughter, Robin Lynn Valenzuela. In 1981 she married Ray H. Calihan.
Lillian was Court Reporter for the 25th Judicial District of Kansas for 27 years and was President of Kansas Shorthand Reporters Association for one year. After retiring as court reporter, she became a stockbroker for nine years with Perkins & Company, Garden City, Kansas.
She attended grade school and high school in Pierceville, Kansas where she was valedictorian of her senior class. She enjoyed golfing, cooking, traveling and tending to her many plants and flowers that bloomed around her home.
She is survived by her husband Ray of Gold Canyon, AZ; daughter Robin (Jeff) of Garden City, KS; Stepdaughters Cathi (Dave) Vincent of Elizabeth, CO, Janice Williams of Gilbert, AZ, and Boni (Darwin) Burkhart of Wichita, KS; and brother Richard Pittman (Terrell, TX). She is predeceased by sisters Donna VenJohn, Chlois Buhrle, Cleo Mathews; brother Dean Pittman; son Rudy G, and step-son Michael Calihan.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00am, June 21st, at Gold Canyon United Methodist Church. An additional service and burial will be planned at a later date in Garden City, KS. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Hospice at Home of Arizona and Home Instead Senior Care of Mesa, Arizona.
Memorials may be sent in Lillian’s name to Gold Canyon United Methodist Church, 6640 S. Kings Ranch Road, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118 or Western Kansas Community Foundation, 402 N. Main Street, Garden City, KS 67846.
Flowers for the service at Mountain View Funeral Home can be ordered through Razzle Dazzle Flowers; (480) 983 – 0802.
Lil was a wonderful, sweet person. We were friends (her, Rudy, Rudy G & Robin) in The Sixties.
God bless you, sweet Robin.
Lil was such a classy lady and a friend to cherish, more like a sister to me.
The first interesting thing I learned about Lil was her moment of fame as court reporter for the Clutter Murder Trial. Truman Capote used her transcript for validation of the screen play in the Movie IN COLD BLOOD, where Lil played herself in the film. The transcript has been used through libraries in other research.
Some of my best laughs took place around her table and on the golf course with LIL…her quiet giggle rings in my ears now. Love & memories are in my heart forever.