Lillian Mae Dambrauskas

Lillian Mae Dambrauskas passed away May 26, 2024, in her home of nearly 60 years in Greenbelt, Maryland. She was 92. 

Lillian was an unassuming hero to her children, her neighbors, and to scores of others whose lives she touched through her volunteer work and compassionate caregiving. She was a talented seamstress and an accommodating cook who always made room at the table and in her home for anyone seeking a good meal or friendship.

Born to Lawrence John and Lillian May Dennis on December 9, 1931, in Olney, Maryland, Lillian was the oldest of four daughters. After graduating from Elkridge High School in 1948, she began working at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To support her family, she often traveled from Beltsville to Baltimore by Greyhound Bus to a second job at Montgomery Ward. 

In June 1953, Lillian married Daniel Dambrauskas. They danced through life together for 67 years -- raising three children and helping to raise one grandson -- until Dan’s death in 2020. 

Lillian later worked at the National Children’s Center in Laurel and at the University of Maryland College Park Bookstore. Her most cherished work, however, was making custom clothing, costumes, and accessories. She also reupholstered sofas, chairs, and curtains for her home and others. 

Like many of her generation, Lillian and her sisters made clothing from feed sacks. Her sewing skills were unmatched. Throughout her life, she made clothing in all sizes, sometimes crafting matching outfits for her daughters’ dolls. She designed and created exquisite bridesmaid and wedding dresses for her daughters, nieces, and friends. 

From Captain Hook to lavish can-can dance skirts, she adorned fabrics, hats, and gloves with sequins, feathers, and rhinestones, designing and constructing costumes until just a few months before her death. She was the premiere costumier for students of the Eleanor Pernia School of Dance in Beltsville for more than a decade. Lillian also taught sewing to 4-H club members.

As a volunteer for St. Hugh of Grenoble Catholic Church and School, she tutored young students to improve their literacy skills and helped with school lunches and other school activities. For the church, Lillian and Daniel helped organize and manage fundraising dances and Thursday night bingo, where her homemade sloppy joe sauce reportedly sold out each week. The couple received a plaque in 1983 for their years of service to the church.

Lillian loved playing games with family and friends, and she was an avid duckpin bowler. In 1963, she was filmed for the popular Bowling for Dollars TV program. She also loved hosting Sunday dinners for her family and sharing any leftovers with the wild animals that graced her yard.

Lillian is survived by her son, Raymond (Louise) of Shepherdstown. WV; daughter Donna (Gabriel Iriarte) of Longboat Key, FL; daughter Susan of Silver Spring, MD; and grandson, Mikhail Iriarte of Longboat Key, FL. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Daniel, and her sisters Mary Ann (Spioch), Jean Louise (DePriest), and Barbara Joan (Kroll). 

Lillian and the remains of her beloved husband will be buried together at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery in a private service July 1, 2024.