Obituary of Lillian Margaret Bill

BILL, Lillian Margaret

It is with much sadness, but also with grateful hearts for a long and full life, that the family of Lillian Bill announces her passing at Parkside Extendicare in Regina on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 surrounded by family.

Lillian was born on October 18, 1925 to Jacob and Mary Schaff at Lampman, Saskatchewan.  She was one of 9 siblings with 6 sisters and 2 brothers.  Following some schooling she started working at St. Joseph Hospital in the kitchen.  Although she never had any advanced formal education, Lillian was very intelligent, articulate, thoughtful and well read.

On April 12, 1944, Lillian met the love of her life, Lawrence, and they were married on May 7, 1946 and went on to raise 10 children - 5 boys and 5 girls. Mom ran a very busy household, basically by herself, as Dad was very busy running the family garage, where he worked long hours.  We are convinced that she had eyes in the back of her head because she was always one step ahead of us.  Mom was an excellent cook and excelled at making bread, buns and pastries and we kids never went hungry.

She sang with the Estevan women’s choir - the Sweet Adeline’s.  Mom was a very active and devout Catholic, a long-time member of the CWL, as well as a member of St. John the Baptist senior choir.  She sang at numerous weddings, as well as funerals, where she sang sometimes 2 or 3 times a week up until the time she moved to Regina, following Dad’s passing in 2013.  Mom was a prayerful woman and she prayed the rosary daily.  Even as her dementia progressed and she became forgetful, she would end the day with her rosary in her hands.

In later life, Mom took up walking with some neighbourhood ladies and they put on many miles each week. She also overcame her fear of water by enrolling in swimming lessons. With this fear overcome, it allowed her to enjoy the camaraderie of many other people she met at the swimming pool.

Following Dad’s passing, mom moved to Regina, into College Park Senior’s residence, where she made new friends and enjoyed singing with the resident’s choir.  In 2015, as her dementia progressed, she moved to Spruce Lane private care home, where she resided for 2 years and then finally into Parkside Extended care home where she lived until her passing.

Lillian is lovingly remembered by her children, Russell, Karen, Brenda, Gregory, Janet, Lawrence, Lester, Lisa, Stephen, and Susan and their spouses; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother William (Florina) and sisters Marie, Agnes, Ann and Irene(Brian); as well as many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Lillian was predeceased by her husband Lawrence; her parents, Jacob and Mary Schaff; brother Mike and sisters Gert and Cathy; grandson Geoff Bill; and son-in-law Doug Johnson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Christ the King R.C. Church, 3239 Garnet Street, Regina, SK on Monday, March 11, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. presided by Father Stephen Bill, along with his brother priests. Cremation will follow with interment of ashes to take place at the Estevan City Cemetery. Please join the family immediately after the Mass for a period of fellowship.  Pallbearers will be the grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Lillian can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, 2550 12 Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 3X1 or a charity of your choice.

We wish to express our deepest and sincerest thank you to the North Wing Staff at the Parkside Extendicare during mom’s last 2 years, as she struggled with the horrible disease of Dementia.

Also thank you to Michaela Lang with Speers Funeral Chapel, Regina and Dustin Hall with Hall Funeral Service, Estevan for assisting the family.