Lillian Archbold (nee Lypp), 96, resident of Westmont since January 13, 1951, passed peacefully in her home on December 26, 2025. Born July 29, 1929 to Frank and Rose Lypp. Beloved wife of the late Cliff R. Archbold Jr.; loving mother of Patricia (Karl) Walters and Janet Archbold; devoted grandmother of Amanda (Ryan) Holland and Sara (Mikey) Cervenka; dearest great grandmother of Ella & Chase Holland and Jordan & Austin Cervenka; dear sister, aunt and cousin of many. Memorial Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 4-8 PM at Cappetta’s West Suburban Funeral Home, 39 N. Cass Ave., Westmont. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. 17 Battery Place Ste. 210 New York, NY 10004.
Lillian was born in Chicago and her family moved to Hinsdale in the late 30’s. She attended and graduated St Isaac Jogues and Nazareth Academy. She was the eldest of 6 siblings.
She met her late husband, Cliff and they were married on January 13, 1951. In 1955 they opened The Village Bakery in Clarendon Hills and successfully ran their business for 10 years with the help of friends and family.
They adopted their 2 children, one in 1959 and one in 1962. In 1965, in an effort to maintain a better work/life balance, they made the decision to close the bakery. She is remembered fondly by many as “The Cake Lady” because after closing the bakery, for generations, she continued to bake for close friends, family, valued customers and the community from her home.
She was an avid reader from historical romances to suspenseful mysteries; her favorite author was Nora Roberts. She insisted on doing the crossword puzzle in ink (erasable) every day. She loved going to garage, estate and rummage sales along with thrift stores to find those ‘special’ treasures for the people she loved.
She was a huge contributor to and lover of The Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Foundation. She believed in family heritage and preserving the stories of how her family arrived in America. She made sure that family recipes and history were passed on to future generations so family history and relatives were not forgotten.
She and her husband traveled extensively, by car, across the United States. At first traveling alone or with friends, then taking their 2 children every summer for 2 weeks; after which they bestowed their love of the open road to their 2 grandchildren each July. They would visit every National Monument, state park, scenic outlook and Stuckey’s. Her favorite place to go was any beach. She could spend hours scouring the shoreline for shells and rocks that now reside happily in her home and garden.
She was a Girl Scout leader for both her daughter’s troops and continued on as a leader after they left the program. She contributed to every local bake sale, church, school, village etc. She taught cake decorating at several institutions and to many individuals when asked and enjoyed passing on her passion to other enthusiasts.
She was the matriarch of the family and took her role seriously – never taking sides. Ever smiling and lovely, she rarely spoke a harsh word, it just wasn’t in her nature. She loved her children, grandchildren, dog Libby (Liberty), family and friends. She will be missed by all.
Gone yet not forgotten, although we are apart, your spirit lives within us, forever in our hearts.
Memorial Visitation Tuesday January 13, 2026 from 4-8 P.M. at Cappetta’s West Suburban Funeral Home 39 N. Cass Ave., Westmont. Interment private, Info 630-852-8000 or westsuburbanfh.com
Hi Janet
I am truly saddened to hear this news. Your mom was an absolute delight and I always loved meeting her and seeing her front row.
I am working on getting back to Chicago this March and actually thought to myself, will she be there.
I know she will in spirit now.
Thank you for letting me know and I wish you comfort over the coming days and weeks.
All my love and condolences
Paul Byrom
What a wonderful tribute for a wonderful lady. I loved reading about the life of the woman known to me as “The Cake Lady.” Her cakes had been apart of my family’s milestone events for several generations. She will be remembered fondly by many.
Hi Pat and Janet, I’m so sorry to hear that your mom passed. She was such sweetheart and always loved talking to her.
Fondly,
Susan DeCicco
Hi Pat and Janet, I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I loved both your parents. I remember picking up cakes with my parents and then later ordering cakes for my own family. Lillian was always willing to create a new version of her layer cakes for us. Your dad was great for conversation at pick up time. I felt so close to them I invited them to my wedding and of course I had her make the cake. When I think of them both it’s always with a smile.
Memory Eternal
Robin Ceren Demos