Lillian Maloof Dir, 92, an Island resident since 1956, died on March 3 at Overlake Hospital. She was born on Oct. 17, 1916, in Lawrence, Mass., to immigrant parents, which made her appreciate her life in the United States more than most. Mrs. Dir had several different occupations throughout her working career and retired after many years as the office manager for Prudential Insurance.

In 1961, Mrs. Dir married Harold Dir, who had five children and two grandchildren, but only one child still at home. It didn’t take long for the Dir family to accept Lillian as a genuine, honest, happy, loving and caring person. She and Harold had an upholstery shop where she worked many hours after working in the office all day. She was a wonderful seamstress.

Mrs. Dir loved to travel and went to many exciting places. After her retirement, she worked at Emily’s Attic on Mercer Island as a volunteer and also helped out with the bookkeeping. She continued to stay active, doing volunteer work when she could until her macular degeneration made that impossible.

Mrs. Dir had strong values and a big heart and was the first one to laugh at herself. She made everyone laugh. She was a wonderful role model and taught so much, including the appreciation of many Greek dishes.

Over the years, Mrs. Dir was very generous, giving to many charities that she felt helped others.

Her genuine smile and warm and caring heart will be missed. She was one-of-a-kind.

Mrs. Dir was preceded in death by her brothers, Samuel and Edward Maloof; and stepsons, Jim and Bill Dir. She is survived by her stepdaughters, Patricia Babcock and Sylvia Millette; stepson, David Dir; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter, who all agree that Mrs. Dir was very special.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, at the Mercer Island Covenant Church, 3200 78th Ave. S.E. A reception will follow.

Remembrances are suggested to Macular Degeneration or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.