Lilly Nabholz Hess

Lillian “Lilly” Pauline Nabholz Hess went to bask in the light of Jesus on Saturday November 5, 2022. She was born at home to Tony and Clara Nabholz on July 9, 1939. She joined her siblings Rosie, Theresa, Carolyn and then was followed by Margie, Toni, and Michael. As a family they were active members of St. Edwards’s Parish and School where she made lifelong friends. Lilly graduated from Mount St. Mary Academy in 1957. Lilly went on to become a mother to Ann, Dolores, Joe, and Angela. 

She was a very active parishioner at St. Patrick’s in North Little Rock. While there she was a Girl Scout leader, volleyball and basketball coach, a member of the Altar Society and a lector. Lilly taught CCD classes every Sunday for 10 years. In 1973 Lilly started her employment with the Diocese of Little Rock Scripture Study Program where she was a fixture until her retirement in 2020. 

Lilly picked up and moved to Little Rock in the 80’s and became a member of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Parish. She continued at Holy Souls as a lector and member of their Altar Society. She was also a member of the Holy Sews Ministry sewing layettes for stillborn babies. Lilly not only worked for the LRSS but she also led and participated in bible study groups while at Holy Souls. 

Lilly proudly achieved her lifelong dream of obtaining a college degree at UALR after being a part-time student for 10 years. 

Lilly liked to travel whether to visit her children in Chicago or Washington DC or her siblings in California, Connecticut, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. Internationally she visited the Holy Land, Rome and more recently Germany. 

Her passions included: sewing, needlework, gardening, baking, and making homemade ice cream for her grandkids and great-grandkids. 

Lilly’s whole life revolved around her church and her family.  She is preceded in death by her parents: Tony and Clara Nabholz, her sister Rose Marie Nabholz, and her daughter Ann Hess-McGinn. She is survived by her siblings: Theresa Bartlett of Pittsburgh, Carolyn McCauley of North Little Rock, Margie Johnson of St. Peter’s, MO, Toni Nabholz of Danbury, CT and Michael Nabholz of San Diego, CA. her daughter Dolores Earles of North Little Rock, her son Joe Hess (Kimberly) of Vilonia, and daughter Angela Frazer (Bryan) of North Little Rock. She was grandmother to Ted and Clara McGinn, Marissa, Brian and Morgan Earles, Chelsey Fason, Colin, Caimbre, Cypress and Calhan Hess, Brittney Selby and Conor Martin and great-grandmother to Miles, Maggie, Sophia, and Chesney. 

A visitation will be held at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church on Monday, November 14, 2022 from 5:30-7:00 pm, followed by a rosary. A mass will be held at the church on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 10:30 am followed by a reception. Holy Souls will be streaming the mass.