Lillian was born in Chicago and graduated from the College of Jewish Studies (now Spertus Institute) in its early years, and went on to serve as its librarian. She married Rabbi Eli Kahn and accompanied him throughout their lives to the various pulpits where he was engaged. When they lived in St. Paul, MN, she received her Master's degree in Counseling from the College of St. Thomas.

She served many capacities as Rebbetzin in her husband's shuls, among them Educational Director, Teacher, Program Manager, Bulletin Editor and Proofreader of her husband's speeches. She always dedicated herself to helping others, both in her Jewish community and Israel, as well as in the community in which she lived. For example, as a social worker, she originated a Meals-on-Wheels program in St. Paul, and also created an organization focused on educating underprivileged teens.

Lillian wrote poetry since she was young, which was finally arranged later in her life by her children in a book entitled "The Outward Edge of Joy - A Life in Poems". Lillian had four children, Dr. Judy Kahn, Rachelle Rosenfeld, Dr. Shulamit Kahn, and Rabbi David Kahn as well as 15 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.