Obituary of Lillian Elizabeth Naftel

NAFTEL, Lillian

Lillian passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at the age of 82 years. She was born on August 7, 1937 on a farm near Fairy Hill, SK on the edge of the Qu’Appelle Valley. Lillian was the 8^th of 12 children to parents John and Magdalena Armbruster. In the latter part of the depression, when the farm could barely support the family, father moved the family 180 miles north to the Star City area. Lillian was 2 years old at the time. She was predeceased by her parents; brother Sieghard (Star City, SK); sisters, Agnes Hassen (Forest, ON), Elanora Grey (Courtney, BC), Martha Waldner (Saskatoon, SK), and Gertrude Barnes (Watrous, SK). Lillian is sadly missed by her husband Paul Naftel (Regina, SK); sisters, Doris Cairns (Brooks, AB), Carole Mathers (Grand Bend, ON), Janet Jackson (Sylvania, SK), and Shirley Newransky (Winnipeg, MB); brother Harry Armbruster (Edmonton, AB); as well as numerous nieces and nephews. After graduating from Teachers College, Lillian taught public school in several centres before moving to teach in Prince Albert. An opportunity arose to teach overseas at Canadian Air Force bases in France and Germany. While there, Lillian was able to travel throughout Europe, Scandinavia, and the Middle East and found it a wonderful experience. On her return to Prince Albert, she met and married Paul Naftel, a Biologist from Ontario. They lived in Prince Albert until Paul was transferred to Regina where the provinces Fisheries and Wildlife services were being combined. In Regina, Lillian found their new home, designed and supervised its upgrading and purchased furnishings. She also became a good seamstress and a competent gardener. Lillian also took advantage of the University to complete her Bachelor of Education, graduating with a Degree of Distinction. After a long service in fisheries and wildlife, Paul’s retirement allowed the family to explore a new lifestyle of wintering in the south and enjoying Saskatchewan the rest of the year, until health issues intervened. The family has appreciated the care Lillian received at College Park II and more recently the attention of the nursing staff at Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home, which made Lillian’s time there comfortable. Lillian has requested there be no funeral service at this time. A private family interment will take place near her parents in the Star City Cemetery at a later date.