Lillian Ruth (Heinichs) Camillion

Lillian Ruth Camillon (Heinrichs), 87, of Sun City West, AZ, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on May 19, 2023.  She was born on February 21, 1936, in Fort Smith Arkansas.  Lillian graduated from Salinas High School in 1954 and lived in Salinas for more than 60 years.  She married her high school sweetheart, Gene Camillon in 1955 and celebrated nearly 69 years of marriage.   Lillian worked for the Salinas Valley School District, Boronda School. She worked in several positions there, but her favorite memories were being the librarian and interacting with the students.  She also worked for the John Snow Seed Company for many years.  Upon retiring, Gene and Lillian moved to Sun City West, AZ where she enjoyed their home on the golf course and developed many close friendships.  She also enjoyed spending time in Lake Tahoe with her family during the hot summer months.

Lillian always enjoyed life to the fullest and she is remembered for her perpetual smile and wonderful laugh.  Everyone who knew or had met Lillian enjoyed her humor, selflessness and giving nature.  She and her siblings lived in the Salinas Valley for many years and were an integral part of the agribusiness community. 

She and her siblings remained close during the early year and many years following. 

She was an avid golfer for many years and loved her women’s golf group and enjoyed the many golf tournaments and outings with her special group of friends, whom she loved dearly. She also enjoyed belonging to her many card groups and was an expert card player where she often brought home the winning purse of $3.00!

Lillian was preceded in death by her son, Kurt Camillone, grandson, Preston Holetz,  her sister’s Teresa Nicholaw Hodgins, Narda Foletta, and her brother Paul Heinrichs. She is survived by her husband, Gene Camillon, her daughter, Kristi Holetz (Camillon) - Steve Holetz, her daughter-in-law, Gerrie Camillone, and her two grandchildren, Harrison Holetz and Hailey Camillone-Randa.  Lillian is also survived by her sister, Dorothy Jefferson, and many nieces and nephews.    

Lillian touched many lives and left a profound impact on those she loved.  She will be dearly missed and often thought of.  We are all better people for knowing her.

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