Lilia Villareal Bittler

The world lost a beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and cherished friend to many.  Lilia Villareal Bittler, of Stamford, CT died peacefully on March 18, 2021.

Lilia was born on February 12, 1920 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines.  She was one of the founders of the Women Lawyers of the Philippines, a university professor for law, survived World War II and an active volunteer/contributor in various Philippine based charities – the Red Cross, Catholic Charities.

Lilia enjoyed giving back to the community and helping others. She was the oldest honorary member of the Philippine American Women’s Association of Connecticut (PAWAC) and the New York Phil-AM Lions Club in New York City.

Her life centered around her family and her Catholic faith – attending daily mass, praying the rosary and constantly meditating on the Lord. and highly favored by our Lord.  Her last words were, “it’s time to go with the Lord, goodbye and see you in heaven’.  She loved going to the casino, playing mahjong, taking care of her dogs and giving advice to all her family and friends. Her main advice to reach her age at 101 years old, is ‘don’t worry, be happy, pray, and leave everything in God’s hands’.

Her gift to her family and friends was her fun-loving warmth, sense of humor, affection, and perennially positive outlook on life.  She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Mercedes Riley, son-in-law Patrick Riley, her grandchildren, Mikhail Basman, Mitzchka Basman Ortiz, Miffy and William Riley, son in law, grandson in law, Rodney Ortiz, granddaugher in law Pernille Basman, and her great grandchildren, Jerika and Jovan Ortiz, Lexie, Viktoria and Matthias Basman.  She is also survived by her many nephews and nieces around the world but particularly by her beloved nephew Ramon Reyes and his family, wife Diane Reyes and children Nicole, Jonathan, Victoria and Olivia Reyes.

Lilia’s family will receive relatives and friends at the Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home located at 411 S. Main Street in New Britain, Connecticut on Tuesday, March 23 ^rd from 9:30am am to 10:30am.  Thereafter, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for her at 11am at St Mary’s church located at 544 Main Street in New Britain, CT Burial services will be held right after at St. Mary’s cemetery, 1141 Stanley St, New Britain, CT.