Lillian McGonigal Our beautiful Mom passed away on Sunday June 19, under the loving care of her children. She was 98. Lillian was born on her parents’ homestead near Kerrobert Saskatchewan, an event that apparently didn’t merit a trip to the town registry until her sister Bertha was born 3 years later. This may explain how she came to be an undemanding soul with a keen sense of humor and a gentle, lighthearted nature. She never craved attention and preferred instead to work behind the scenes. While her sisters headed to the barn, Lillian preferred to stay indoors, cooking and sewing and honing her skills as “a lady”. The family arrived in Sundre in 1929 and settled north of town when Lillian was 11 years old. She secured the job of hauling 5 gallon buckets of water to school each day and cleaning the schoolhouse. In the winter, on Fridays, her father would hitch his horses to a sleigh, collect his five daughters, blankets and snacks and travel 6 miles to the dances at James River Hall. It was at one of these dances that Lillian met a handsome young man who played the banjo. After a couple of dances and a 6-year courtship, she & Jack were married (1941). Before they married, Lillian worked in Calgary for the Minister of Defense, while training to become a hairdresser. Later, they worked together at Colonel Snyder’s ranch west of Sundre and in the oil fields in Jasper. Eventually they bought land just west of the Sundre bridge and welcomed children Carmen and Sheila into their family. Lillian never failed to support Jack in his varied endeavors. She continued as a stylist, cleaned cabins, canned honey from their bees, fed chickens, collected and sold eggs, washed milk bottles, etc. She worked as a cleaning lady at the Sundre Motel and in Radium BC for a summer. She was a strong contributor to the community of Sundre and a tireless volunteer. Her heart was with her Church. She was a lifelong member of the United Church and UCW, fulfilling roles as president, secretary, photographer, historian and even janitor for a time. She loved children and taught Sunday School for 25 years where she was fondly known as “Gonigal by the children. She was a proud member of the Royal Purple and loved dressing in full regalia with her “sisters” and Elks “brothers”, Jack included. In 1982 Lillian was honored by the Sundre Lions Club, with the Citizen of the Year Award. After Jack died in 1979, Lillian went to work for the Junior Forest Rangers, living in a trailer in the bush, rising early and laboring late to feed a dozen rambunctious and hungry young men. She was 62 years old. For the next 10 years she worked in the hospital laundry. In “retirement” she delivered Meals on Wheels, worked with the Hospital Auxiliary and the Thrift Shop, and cooked, baked, served, cleaned, washed, ironed, visited, delivered cards and flowers and drove folks to appointments both in and out of town. She continued to drive until she was 94. Mom was very sociable and loved to laugh. Her favorite things included music, purple pansies, crocuses, low-bush blueberries, pussy willows, cats, dogs, moose, talking on the phone with Phyllis, her birthday friends Francis & Muriel and chocolate. She was always very proud of her children and grandchildren and was appreciative of the simple gift of their presence. She not only loved her children but she loved her children’s friends. She maintained those friendships, acting as a hub for those connections even when some of us appeared to have fallen off the map. She enjoyed the little things in life and appreciated every tiny miracle of nature. She was thrilled to meet her first great grandchild before she passed away and we are forever grateful for that blessing. She adored the fingers and toes of babies and even in May when so very ill, she held Macie’s tiny hand, studied it and smiled contentedly, at her perfect little fingers. Lillian was predeceased by her husband Jack McGonigal in 1979 as well as her parents Minnie and Frank Nelson and sisters Peggy Elliot, Winnifred Beaton, and Jean Bardal. She is survived by her children, Carmen (Kamla) McGonigal and Sheila Wercholaz; two grandchildren Jager McGonigal and Ryan (Karen) McGonigal; new great grandchild Macie Jane McGonigal (daughter of Ryan and Karen) and her sister, Bertha Burk of Langley, BC. We are deeply grateful for the support and kindness of our dear friend Jean. To the Drs. Warren, Mom felt you were more than her doctors, but her friends. To the Sundre Hospital staff, her friends and family at the Foothills Lodge (ie., staff and residents), she loved you all. She was very happy at the Lodge and especially appreciated the hard work of Cindy and the Ladies Auxiliary in helping to make the Lodge a home. To those dear friends who visited Mom over her years in Hagen Manor, at the Lodge and at the Hospital, who brought rhubarb, canned beets, blueberries, flowers, cookies, treats, cards, etc., Mom was honored to be remembered by you in such meaningful ways. From Mom: “so long, ‘til we meet in the sweet bye & bye”. Funeral services were held on Thursday June 23, 2016 at the Sundre United Church with Reverend Sue Hertell officiating. Interment was held prior to the service at the Sundre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Sundre United Church or charity of choice. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with arrangements. 403-507-8610 www.heartlandfuneralservices.com