March 17, 1923 September 30, 2023

Lillian Lucille Fitzwater, age 100, died peacefully in her apartment with her family

present at Eskaton Village Grass Valley, CA on September 30, 2023. The youngest of three children, she was born on March 17, 1923 to Lydia and George Bowers in Gooding, Idaho. She grew up in Gooding on a homestead farm. During her high school years she

moved to Boise, Idaho where she graduated from Boise High. There, she met the love of her life, Dean Fitzwater.

In December of 1941, Dean enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Monterey, CA. Dean and Lil were married in Reno, Nevada. Michael, their first child was born in Monterey in 1943.

After leaving the service, Dean and Lil lived briefly in San Francisco where they began their first venture in the photo finishing business. They then moved to Merced in 1947 when shortly after that, they started their own photo business, Fitz Photo Service. Their daughter, Sue and son, Steve were born in Merced. As well as working side by side with her husband, Lillian was a loving and attentive mother to her three children.

Twenty years later, they started Dinos Drive In restaurant. When they retired, they enjoyed traveling and visited many countries including Mexico, Guatemala, Romania, Spain and many other European countries. She was an accomplished organic gardener.

Her grandchildren loved to visit and spend time with her in the garden. In 2008, Lillian and Dean moved to Grass Valley to be closer to their son, Michael. After renting a house for 2 years, they moved into Eskaton Village Grass Valley where they lived until the end of their lives.

Lillian was preceded in death by her husband, Dean, and her youngest son, Steve. Lillian is survived by her son Michael (wife Kathy), her daughter Susan (husband Dale), her grandchildren Joel (wife Heidi), Jason (wife Caroline), Dylan (wife Alix) and her three great grandchildren (Harper, Hayden and Edze).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Foothills Grass Valley.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hooper & Weaver Mortuary.