Lily L. Day, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2026, just weeks shy of her 98th birthday. Born September 6, 1928, Lily lived a remarkable life defined by love, strength, grace, independence, and resilience.

Lily met John Francis Day, the love of her life, and they eloped on November 1, 1947. For nearly 47 years, she was his devoted wife and partner, accompanying him throughout his military career and later years with the Department of Defense. Together they lived around the world before making Jacksonville, Florida, their home. John passed away in 1995, and Lily carried his memory with her for the next 31 years.

Fiercely independent, Lily remained in the family home she and John shared until just six weeks before her passing and drove until she was 96. At 97, she was still living independently and thriving. Her daughters, Lori and Elaine, are deeply proud that they were able to honor her wishes and support her independence for as long as possible.

Lily faced life's challenges with remarkable resilience. She survived open-heart bypass surgery, non-Hodgkin lymphoma twice, including during the challenges of COVID, as well as congestive heart failure, kidney failure, lung failure, and other serious health challenges all after the age of 90. She believed she could do hard things, and she did. She was also, in every sense, a lady, lovingly known by her daughters as “Fancy Mom.” She loved beautiful clothes, jewelry, and adding a little pizzazz to everything she did. She had three closets of clothes and thousands of pieces of jewelry and even kept a calendar of her bridge outfits so she would not repeat them too often. It was quintessential Lily, elegant, prepared, and just a little bit fabulous.

An avid bridge player for decades, Lily continued playing at NAS Jacksonville and local clubs, enjoying both the competition and friendships. She was also an avid reader, often enjoying four to six novels a week. She loved to travel, entertain, tell stories, play bingo, and bring people together.

As a mother, Lily's greatest gift was teaching her daughters to be strong and independent women. She gave Lori and Elaine the freedom to pursue their dreams while providing an example of unconditional love and strength. Her love was often expressed through service, and she could rarely end a phone call without asking, “Is there something I can do for you?”

Lily had a gift for making people feel welcome and valued. After nearly 98 years of living fully, loving deeply, and refusing to give up, Lily has finally reunited with the husband she missed for nearly 31 years.

She leaves behind a legacy of strength, independence, resilience, love, and a little bit of pizzazz, and two daughters who will forever be proud to call her Mom.

Survivors to carry on Lily’s legacy include her daughters, Yvonne “Elaine” Stemetzki (Thomas) of Saint Johns FL; Yvette “Lori” Day (David Vaughn) of Saint Johns, FL; grandchildren, Donald Thomas Stemetzki (Cathy) of Springfield, VA, JoAnn Elizabeth Stewart (Shaun) of Yulee, FL, Wendy Catherine Sekel (Jay) of Herndon, VA, Avery Elizabeth Vaughn (Sterling Poole) of Jacksonville, FL; Carly Merie Vaughn (Nicolas Austin) of Jacksonville, FL, Chloe Lorraine Vaughn of Glasgow, Scotland, Dawson Caldwell Vaughn of Jacksonville, FL; great-grandchildren, Colin John Sekel, Ashton James Sekel and Evelyn Brooke Sekel all of Herndon, VA, and John Lathan Vaughn-Austin of Jacksonville, FL; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Along with her beloved husband, John Francis Day, Lily was preceded in death by her parents, Pearl (Koch) and Ben Gehrs; sisters, Florence Austin, and Pearl Musenbrock; and brothers, Fred Gehrs, Carl Gehrs, Louis Gehrs, Harry Gehrs, Richard Gehrs.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, August 30, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Carlyle with Father Deva Ubbarapu officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Community Hospice and Palliative Care Jacksonville FL, and these memorials will be accepted for her family at the Day Macz Funeral Home in Sandoval. Online condolences and memories of Lily may be shared with her family by visiting maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page. Day Macz Funeral Home is privileged to assist Lily’s family with arrangements.