Leonie "Lily" Françoise Niemoller

Leonie “Lily” F. Niemoller, 91, of Annville passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on Friday, October 19, 2018 in Hershey, PA. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Johann Friedrich (John Frits) Niemoller, 89, five children, 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Born in Batavia (now known as Jakarta), in the former Dutch East Indies (now known as Indonesia) on May 23, 1927 to parents, François Beunk and Arena Buth, Lily was an exceptional woman ahead of her time, whose story stands out from most. During her adolescent years in Dutch Indonesia, Lily survived three years in WWII Japanese internment camps - an experience from which she vowed to dedicate the rest of her life to music, nutrition, education and animal kindness. Following the war, she was relocated to Holland, where she received an education, fell in love with and married Frits and later became principal at a preschool Kindergarten school in Leiden. In 1956, Lily immigrated with Frits to the United States, where she raised their family and started her own sprouts business in Woodstock, NY. She eventually saved enough money to fulfill her war camp survival goal of purchasing a Steinway grand piano, on which she later taught lessons to nearly a hundred students over the course of two decades. After living in various places throughout the United States and a four year stint in Paris, France, Lily and Frits retired in 1991 to Annville, PA, where they lived together for nearly 30 years. There, she founded Golden Glory Kennels as a breeder of Golden Retrievers. She became a U.S. citizen in 1993. A lifelong vegetarian and health food pioneer, Lily cultivated a vegetable and herb garden at her home overlooking the Indiantown Gap, where she often spent time with her dogs and enjoyed serenades of song birds and a beautiful view of historic Pennsylvania. During her 80’s, Lily penned the book, Survival Under the Rising Sun, bravely recounting her experience in the Japanese camps for the first time. Lily's life was distinguished by remarkable strength, perseverance, curiosity, compassion and love. A loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, "Oma" and great-grandmother, Lily has had - and will continue to have - a meaningful impact on many lives. Her value of education, world travel, speaking multiple languages and cultural understanding, as well as her entrepreneurial spirit, musical talent, nutritional wisdom, care for animals and peaceful demeanor, has left a lasting mark on all who knew and loved her. Surviving Lily, in addition to her husband Frits, are sons Robert Niemoller (son Ryan, daughter Amy) of Phoenix, AZ; Rene Niemoller (husband of Yolanda) (son Manny) of North Royalton, OH; John E. Niemoller (husband of Jeanne) (daughter Rachel, sons John F. and Eric Martin) of Groton, MA; daughters Paulina Burgdorf (wife of Greg) (daughters Emily (wife of Jarrad) and Caitlin, son Andrew) of Hummelstown, PA; and Catherine Brown (wife of Barrett) (son Tyler, daughter Abby) of Ridgefield, CT; her younger sister Margot of Essex, England, and 10 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Kreamer Funeral Home & Crematory, 618 E. Main Street, Annville, PA 17003. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Lily to Asana Hospice, 4813 Jonestown Road Suite 201, Harrisburg, PA 17109 or to a charity of your choice to support animals.

Leonie "Lily" Françoise Niemoller

May 23, 1927 - October 19, 2018