Christine S. Lilja

Christine Samick Lilja passed away on May 7, 2025 in Brockway, Pennsylvania after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.  She was born on July 27, 1947 in St. Marys, PA, to Florian “Stony” and Lucille Samick.

Christine graduated from St. Marys High School in 1965 and began her career at Stackpole.  After marrying Paul Lilja, who survives her, the couple moved to Coudersport, where they raised their two children in the close-knit community of Rubbertown.  Christine dedicated many years as a stay-at-home mom before returning to the workforce.  She served as a secretary at the Coudersport Alliance Church and Hammermill Paper Company before spending many years at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital.  
 

Later in life, Christine relocated to Ridgway, PA, to be nearer to family and worked for the Elk County Commissioners until her retirement.  In 2017, she moved to Brockway, where she cherished living across from the local schools attended by her grandchildren.  Nana’s home quickly became a beloved gathering place every afternoon and was always filled with laughter, cut-throat games of “Rummy” and “Sorry”, homemade snacks, and so much love.  

Christine is survived by her daughter Jackie (Jim) Manno and son Jeff (Megan) Lilja; her treasured grandchildren, Tyler Kio, Charlie Lilja, Ava Grace Lilja, Cecilia Manno, Sydney Manno, Jedidiah Manno, Soraya Manno, and Theodore Manno; her siblings John (Barb) Samick and Jean (Don) Krug and their children; her former husband Paul and his wife Mary; her best friend and cruise companion, Linda Domaleski; and her beloved dog, Ivy.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Ronald “Ronnie” Samick.
 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 10:00am at the Community Church of Munderf in Munderf, PA, with a light brunch to follow.  Interment will be in the Munderf Cemetery.    

In lieu of flowers, friends and family are encouraged to plant flowers or a tree at home in Christine’s memory.  Donations may also be made to the Brockway Music Boosters c/o Brockway Area School District, 40 North Street, Brockway, PA, 15824, to support the arts in our local school or to the Galactosemia Foundation (galactosemia.org) to support funding and research for families like ours affected by galactosemia.   

The Shugarts Funeral Home Inc. of Brockway is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at csfhinc.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Christine S. Lilja, please visit our floral store.