Obituary of Lillian P. Koegler

Lillian P. Koegler passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026, at the age of 102.

Lillian grew up in Mineola, New York attending Corpus Christi Elementary School, Mineola High School and graduated from College of New Rochelle in 1945 determined to live life to the fullest and she did. She married Charles E. Koegler, a Notre Dame graduate, in 1949 and they raised their four children in White Plains, New York. Lillian was predeceased by her loving husband of 65 years, Charles E. Koegler and her sister Evelyn La Pierre. she is survived by her four children: Patricia Del Bello (Richard), Albert Koegler (Maureen), Jeanne Angerame-Bowser (Carroll) and Charles E Koegler, Jr. (Linda). Her fierce spirit, unwavering faith, and remarkable legacy of activism live on through them, as well as her 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren

An active parishioner at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Lillian devoted her energies to her family and volunteer work for the church, singing in the choir, school Mother's Club and the Girl Scouts. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, singing, and renovating her numerous homes.

When the children were all finally in school, Lil herself went back to school, earning a Master's degree at Columbia in 1965. She then went on to teach Middle School Social Studies in the White Plains school system for 20 years.

Her educational background in history and the social sciences influenced her subsequent shift into grass roots activism, tax reform, the Pro-Family Movement and National Conservative Alliances. Lillian was a foundational architect of the Right to Life movement, transforming the conservative suburban grassroots networks of the 60s, 70s and 80s "Kitchen Table Politics" into a powerful political force. Following the 1970 liberalization of New York abortion laws, she mobilized thousands of suburban housewives utilizing letter writing campaigns, local petitions and phone trees to successfully challenge institutional party structures.

Her national activism included organizing the first New York delegations to Washington, D.C., for the inaugural March for Life in 1974. She went on to serve as the New York State coordinator for the Conservative Caucus, served as a United Nations NGO representative for the United States Constitution for Life and Chairman of the Westchester Taxpayer council in 1981 for the Committee of One Million/Taxpayer Mobilization to block excessive state spending and tax increases.

Lillian's entire life was motivated by her strong Moral Compass, her faith and family values. You always knew where she stood on an issue. She always looked on the bright side of life and tried to help those less fortunate. The words she lived by are printed on every page of the Bible as well as in the prayers and songs of the Church. "If you read His words, you will understand how He wants us to live. she said, "I intend to live exactly that way and teach my children and grandchildren to do the same."

All are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. directly in St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main Street., Trumbull. There will be no calling hours and Interment will private. Arrangements are in care of the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Pro -Life Ministry, 5301 Main Street, Trumbull, CT 06611 or at https://www.sttheresatrumbull.org/

or to United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island, 250 Marcus Blvd, Hauppauge, NY 11788 or at https://ucp-li.org/

To leave an online condolence, please visit us at www.abriola.com.