March 1, 1922 - March 27, 2011

We've lost one of the bright lights in our life on March 27, at the age of 89 years. Lil joined her parents and seven siblings for a Matson family reunion. She was our dear mother, a grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, teacher, colleague, neighbour and friend who was loved by all for her generous heart and wealth of good jokes. Friends and family enjoyed delicious dinners (she made the best perogies) and parties at her home. "The more the merrier" was her motto.

She was born on a farm in Dubuc, Saskatchewan, graduated from high school "with 100%" as she liked to tell us again and again (and showed us her marks to prove it). She loved school and cried when she couldn't go, eventually becoming a teacher. At 18 years of age she got her first position at a one-room school teaching kids from grade 1 to 12 and never looked back. She moved to B.C. in her early 20's and taught in Boston Bar before moving to Vancouver where she first married and started a family. In her early 30's she moved to Kamloops, where she spent her much-loved teaching career at both Westsyde Elementary and John Todd Elementary, then tutored children who were laid up in hospital or at home. After retiring, she did a bit of traveling - with a brother to Sweden where her parents were born, to New Zealand where her daughter Kathy resided and cruises to Mexico and Alaska.

She achieved a lot in her life and will be lovingly remembered by so many: by her four children & their partners, Stan (Debbie) Bailly, Kathryn Bailly (Nick Martin), Rita (Duncan) McArthur, Shelley (Roger) Ford, by her 12 grandchildren, Amber (Maurice), Danielle (Len), Melyssa, Lynette (Al), Alison (Chris), Timon, Richard, Nathan, Corissa (Andrew), Corey, Asya, Connor, by her 11 great grandchildren Jocelyn, Blake, Kailen, Kristopher, Jack, Amanda, Riley, Brooke, Logan, Olivia, Mason and by all other family and friends whose lives she touched.

A Celebration of her Life will be held on June 18, 2011. For more information contact Shelley at rsford167@msn.com

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.schoenings.com

Cremation arrangements entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service.