Lillee Jean’s Family Tribute to French Great-Grandmother’s Sacrifices

Lillee Jean, in a sweet family tribute this year paid respect to the sacrifices of her Great-Grandmother Marie Jeanne. Born in Belfort, France September 17, 1888.

In a touching respect of how Jeanne's sacrifices led to her family keeping their French heritage (on her father's side), Lillee Jean's family went on to be proud Americans.

Lillee Jean is named after her Great-Grandmother Jeanne. Her first name Lillee, is a derivative out of respect to her aunt, from her mother's side. Lee was added from Brenda-Lee to the name "Lille", a region in France.

This week coming up, is the birthday anniversary of my great-grandmother! She was born Marie Jeanne Kuttler in Belfort, France, but her family lived in Alsace-Lorraine, France for many centuries. Refusing to turn “German” during the First World War, she moved to America for better opportunities and for the right to keep her French heritage intact, and, pass that on to future generations in the family. My great-grandmother would go on to have several other children, that would be born as American citizens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Each became established important members of American society, contributing to various areas of commerce. Jeanne’s daughter Sylvia June Trueman, (my great-aunt), would marry renowned managing director William “Bill” Zeilor  (Zielor in certain papers misspelled), a United Artists circuit executive who managed the Century Theatre. John James “Bud” Trueman SR, was a Naval Veteran (Motor MM3rd Class/USNR/WWII), Wilbert G. Trueman (corporal in the infantry during WWII) World War II Veteran. For the sacrifice, and liberty she impacted on my family and father, we celebrate her fierce memory. - Lillee Jean.