Obituary

Age 88, passed away January 20, 2011. Lyla was born on October 23, 1922 in Clinton, Illinois to Arthur and Ethel (Hill) Spelbring. Survivors include her nieces Sally Jackson and Monica (Matt) Harrison, her great niece Wendy Stubbe, her great nephew Eric (Debra) Jackson, her great great nieces Ashtyn and Selah and her great great nephew Owen. Lyla was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Phyllis and her nephew Michael J. Jackson. Lyla served in both the Marine Corps and US Army, a total of 27 years in the military (retiring with the rank of Colonel in 1982). She was a major influence in the field of occupational therapy. She directed the Occupational Therapy Program at the University of Michigan Hospital for 13 years and also earned her doctorate degree at U of M in 1981. Lyla joined the faculty at Eastern Michigan University in 1974 and was head of the Occupational Therapy Department until she retired in 1984. She was a proud member of the Livingston County Genealogical Society and had recently received the prestigious Lucy Mary Kellogg Award. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Lamb Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to either: The American Occupational Therapy Foundation, 4720 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, MD 20824, or EMU Foundation, Lyla M. Spelbring Endowed Lectureship, 1349 S. Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Please leave a Message of Comfort to Lyla's family by calling 877-231-7900, or sign her guestbook at www. borekjennings.com