LILJA SIGURBJORG LECKOW (THORSTEINSON)

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LILJA SIGURBJORG LECKOW (nee THORSTEINSON) Lilja Sigurbjorg Leckow (nee Thorsteinson) died peacefully on Thursday, February 28, 2002 at Pinegrove Place Nursing Home in Richmond, BC. She was 80 years old. Born in Lundar, MB on January 3, 1922 to Gudmundur Olafur Thorsteinson and Bergthora Kristin Thorsteinson (nee Petursdottir), Lilja attended Success Business College in Winnipeg. In 1944, she married Meros Leckow and lived in New York and Los Angeles before returning to Winnipeg in 1952. Over the next 30 years, she worked as a secretary in Winnipeg hospitals, helping establish Manitobas first Poison Control Centre for Children at the Childrens Hospital and serving as Executive Secretary to the President of the Health Sciences Centre. After retiring, she moved with her husband to Richmond, BC in 1985. Lilja made an enormous contribution to growth of Winnipegs ethnic cultural life. She was deeply involved in the citys Icelandic community, serving as President of the Winnipeg Icelandic Saga Dancers and helping establish the Scandinavian Pavilion in Folklorama. Lilja was also an active participant in Winnipegs Ukrainian community through her work as secretary of the first Womens Auxiliary at Holy Family Home and her involvement in her husbands dance group, the Meros Leckow Ukrainian Dancers. She was a founder of the Community Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg and of Folklorama. Church and friends were very important for Lilja. She was a founding member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Winnipeg and active in the congregations life for over 25 years. As a member of Breezy Bend Country Club, she was recognized for her special contribution to the affairs of the club and given a special honorary membership. Family stood at the centre of Liljas life. She was deeply devoted to her husband Meros; her daughter Marcia; her son Ross; her grand-daughters, Kristin and Carly; her son-in-law Michael Rheault; and her daughter-in-law Margaux Polanski, all of whom were with her when she passed away and all of whom share their devotion to her. She was predeceased by her parents; and her brothers, Nelson, Larry, Kristjan, Gilbert, and Magnus; and is survived by her sister Margaret Gibson of Ottawa. A memorial service for Lilja will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 at Peace Mennonite Church, 11571 Daniels Rd., Richmond, BC. Lilja will be remembered for her kindness, her strength and her dedication to her community and family. We love you, Amma.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 05, 2002