When Noreen (Pollard) Liddy was a little girl, she used to walk by the Lakeville Cemetery on the way to school every day.
‘As she was walking by, she thought it was peaceful,? recalled her son-in-law Wayne Daniels, of Bethlehem, Georgia.
Many years later, Liddy and her daughter, Laurie, would frequent the Lakeville Cemetery Auxiliary’s cookouts and pot-lucks, making sure their donations would help keep the cemetery in tip-top shape.
Now, Liddy will be resting peacefully in that same cemetery she loved as a little girl, as she passed away from a sudden stroke July 27 in Athens, Georgia at the age of 85.
Born in 1921, Liddy attended the small Arnold School off of Lakeville Rd. before she attended Lakeville School, and still met every summer with a handfull of her former classmates until she passed away.
Addison Township resident and historian for the Lakeville Cemetery Auxiliary, Helen Binger, grew up with Liddy and said ‘she was a beautiful person.?
‘She was always participating in everything,? she said. ‘I’m glad I’d kept in touch with her all these years.?
When Liddy decided to leave Lakeville it was to attend Eastern Michigan University.
She moved to Southfield and taught art in the Clawson and Farmington school districts for 17 years.
She was also the past chairperson of the board for R. J. Liddy Moving and Transport, Inc., of Plymouth. But, Liddy’s heart seemed to always remain in Lakeville.
In 1990 Liddy donated money to the cemetery on Drahner Rd. to erect a new wrought iron sign above the entrance.
Using her artist’s touch, Liddy designed the intricate antique sign and had Addison Township resident Bob Becker use his blacksmith skills to create it.
Although she hadn’t lived in Lakeville for many years, Liddy will forever be remembered for her loyalty to and love for the Lakeville Cemetery.
Liddy is survived by her daughter Laurie (Wayne) Daniels, of Georgia; grandchildren Wayne Jr. and Patrick Daniels; great-grandchildren Ashley, Samantha, Zachary and Seth. She’s also survived by her sisters Margaret Tuttle and Junie Clack.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ross J. ‘Bud? Liddy and son John Liddy.
A fitting graveside funeral service took place August 1 at Lakeville Cemetery amongst family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to honor Mrs. Liddy to the Addison Township Cemetery Trust Fund, 1440 Rochester Rd., Leonard, MI 48367, Attn: Jan Ferguson.