Lilly Anna Maxwell passed away peacefully at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 4, 2020 with family by her side. Lilly was born on March 1, 1936 in Saarbrucken, Germany to Phillip and Klara Ziegler.

She came to America in 1962 and married U.S. Air Force Colonel Samuel C. Maxwell. Together they traveled through many military moves and had four children. They lived in New Hampshire, Las Vegas, Colorado, Nebraska, Okinawa and Germany. In 1968 her husband was killed in action while on a combat mission over North Vietnam, after which she moved her young family to Washington state. She raised her children as a single mother and lived in Seattle and La Conner for many years before moving to Las Vegas in 2007.

Lilly was an active and adventurous per son with many interests. She traveled to numerous places over the years; her trips to Hawaii, Egypt, Greece and China being especially memorable. Lilly also loved classical music and opera, walking, cooking, nature and gardening. She had quite a green thumb, always spending time making her yard look beautiful with plants and flowers, especially roses.

Lilly was a determined and dedicated mother to her children. She will be fondly remembered for her generous spirit, enthusiastic and fun personality, incredible energy and resilience. She left a legacy to live life well and to face adversity with dignity and strength

She is survived by her children: Sonja Waterworth (Steve), Sam Maxwell, Christina Furuya (Daisuke), Michael Maxwell, her grandchildren: Sammy, Jack, Casey, Zoey and Skylar, as well as relatives in Germany.

Mom, we love you and miss you greatly You will always be near to our hearts.

A celebration of Lilly’s life is planned later in the year.