LILY GEORGINA MAHON (HALE)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

LILY GEORGINA MAHON (nee HALE) May 14, 1911 - Oct. 30, 2006 Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long in the land that the Lord thy God giveth thee. With sorrow, we announce the peaceful passing of our mother Lily, at West Park Manor, after a long period of declining health. She is survived by her daughters Maureen and Joy (Buettner), son-in-law Mark, grandchildren Cindy Suski (Rob), Kerry Wennberg (Curtis), Dan (Leah), Brian (EunHee), and her great granddaughters Isabella and Hanna Wennberg, Alyssa Suski , and Maren Lily Buettner. She was predeceased by her husband Alf, and her brother Harry. Lily was born and raised in Winnipeg. She was forced by family circumstances to quit school in her mid teens and go to work to support the family. She worked in Hollingsworth's for 13 years and attained the position of Head of Alterations. She was active in sports, especially snowshoeing and speedskating, and also served as a CGIT leader. In 1939, she resigned her position at Hollingsworth's at the time of her marriage to Alf , after a courtship of eight years. Motherhood soon followed with the births of Maureen and Joy. She took her role as a mother very seriously; we always knew she would be watching and waiting for us whenever we came home. We were always well dressed, thanks to her expertise at the sewing machine. She deliberately chose unusual colors for our clothing, so that she could easily spot us coming through the trees in Wildwood Park, and watch us fade into the distance as we walked back to school. The Watcher She always leaned to watch for us, Anxious if we were late, In winter by the window, In summer by the gate; And though we mocked her tenderly, Who had such foolish care, The long way home seemed safer, Because she waited there; Her thoughts were all so full of us, She never could forget, And so I think that where she is, She must be watching yet; Waiting 'til we come home to her, Anxious if we are late, Watching from Heaven's window, Leaning from Heaven's gate. (Margaret Widdemer) Maureen remembers the day when Mum was the only mother who came when Dr. Emma (Adamson) invited all the mothers to attend one of her noon hour classes in St. Paul's Parish Hall. Mum sat in the midst of a crowd of teenaged girls listening to Dr. Emma talk about the birds and the bees. Joy can still clearly recall the morning she awoke to see her red Valentine dress hanging on the doorway of her bedroom, and realized that Mum had stayed up half the night to complete the dress for her grade three party. Before going to bed she had said, there is no way I can get that done for you. She had planned all along to stay up until it was finished. She was very supportive of her husband and stayed by his side when our home and contents were lost in the 1950 flood, and helped in the rebuilding process. She also cared for her mother and father in our home until their passing. Lily was very active in her church as a member of the Mothers' Union and the Women's Auxiliary, and a leader of the Little Helpers. She convened the Strawberry Festival at the Little White Church on the Corner , St. Paul's Anglican, for many years. She was also the Wardrobe Mistress for the Junior Choir and astounded everyone by making over 50 robes for the choir. She made Joy's wedding gown and also Maureen's bridesmaid dress. Her sewing machine and crochet hook were smoking when the grandchildren came along and great-granddaughter Isabella received a shawl and layette when she arrived in 2000. It had been her lifelong desire to see the fourth generation of her family. With her usual foresight, she made items in advance for any other babies that might come along. Even though she was no longer able to speak, she was clearly delighted in 2005 when she met her namesake, Maren Lily. Her eyes lit up and she flashed her big smile. When she lost Alf in 1998, Lily's health began to decline and it became clear that she could no longer live independently, in spite of the supportive help she received from family and Homecare. After lengthy hospital stays she moved to West Park Manor where she resided until her passing. Her family would like to thank all those who have cared for her throughout these years, especially the staff and nursing care of West Park Manor. There are too many to list individually, but they all know how important they were to her and to us. We owe a special thank you to Mark, Lily's son-in-law, who has been endlessly patient and helpful in attending to her needs. She adored him and in her eyes he could do no wrong; she knew she had gained a loving son. We are happy that Brian made it home from his travels after an absence of 13 months to see her just hours before her passing. Interment will be private. We invite friends to join us for a reception in her honor on Sunday, November 12 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home. Those wishing to make a memorial donation may do so to: Recreation Department, West Park Manor, 3199 Grant Ave., MB R3R 1X2 Little Angels' Britches I pray that risen from the dead, I may in glory stand, A crown perhaps upon my head But a needle in my hand. I never learned to sing or play, So let no harp be mine. From birth until my dying day, Plain sewing's been my line. And so, accustomed to the end Of applying useful stitches, I'll be content if asked to mend The little angels' britches. (unknown) CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 04, 2006