EDITH ARVILLA (BILLIE) MAY LIGHTLY (ELSON)

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EDITH ARVILLA (BILLIE) MAY LIGHTLY (nee ELSON) Early on December 8, 2006, while wrapped in the loving arms of her daughter Evelyn, and surrounded by Ev's family with whom she'd lived for 2 and one half years, Arvilla slipped from this life. Left to mourn our loss and celebrate her life are her four children, Bill (Jan), Ted (Pam), Mardi (Martin) and Evelyn (Jim). Grateful for her presence in their lives are her eight grandchildren, Rob (Niki) and Sheila (Bert), Gabe and Tasia, Scott and Chris, and Ryan and Amy, and one great-grandchild, Kyra. Her pride in, and love for, her grandchildren and great-grandchild was boundless. Left also to mourn are Pam's college friends who joined our family when Ted married Pam. Paul McKie and Ellen Robinson and their children, Sean and Thomas enriched Mum's life and join us in celebrating a life well lived, as do niece Barbara Stevenson and nephews John Elson (Judy) and Bruce Elson (Mary) who have been a great support. Special in Mum's life were her brother Stanley and sister Dorothy, who both predeceased her in 1994. Mum was also predeceased by her mother in 1915, her second mother (Aunt Laura) in 1918, and her third mother (Aunt Annie) in 1926. Her beloved uncle Ed died in 1949, her father (in Morocco) in 1968, her granddaughter Sherri, in 1973, Bob's twin sister Isabel in 1981, her dearly beloved husband Bob in 1985, her sister-in-law Kay in 1992 and Bob's sister Alice in 1992. Those who know the story of Arvilla's life know what a remarkable adventure it was. Born in Tangier, Morocco on May 16, 1914, the third child of missionaries Herbert and Arvilla (Lamont) Elson, she was raised in Park Rapids, Minnesota and Crystal City, MB. She went to Wesley College (now the University of Winnipeg), taught in Purvis and Baldur and married the love of her life, R.W. (Bob) Lightly. Following the raising of her four children (not a small task, considering the material!), her family circle grew as she warmly welcomed each of our spouses. It is a testament to this welcoming and accepting nature that she is greatly mourned by her sons and daughters-in law. She was a Charter Member of Westworth Church, actively involved in its development, and was a life member of the UCW. After Dad's death in 1985, despite advancing osteoporosis, she volunteered weekly for the Alzheimer's Society for 15 years until she was 85. We, as a family, are grateful for the love, support and commitment shown to our mother during the final stage of her life by Evelyn, Jim, Ryan and Amy. Welcoming her into their home, they gave her the one treasure she valued more than any other - to be surrounded and cared for with loving hands and hearts and gentle humour. Mardi's support was also appreciated, especially when it allowed Evelyn's family some respite. We are so grateful for the respect, compassion and exceptional care given to Mum by all of her home care workers. Life is not usually made up of one or two large accomplishments, but of thousands of small tasks. Those who did not know Mum need only know that she accomplished the tasks given her with a positive attitude, faith, grace, dignity and integrity. She had a wonderful sense of humour, and an ability to laugh at herself, evident even during the last days of her life. She was a true friend, and she leaves friends who will miss her for these and many more personal reasons. Billie's example will be forever an inspiration to those she loved. It will be her lasting legacy. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating the life of Arvilla Lightly will be held at Westworth Church on Saturday, December 16 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Clark Saunders officiating. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Arvilla can be made to the Alzheimer's Society, the Arvilla Lightly Scholarship at the University of Winnipeg, Westworth United Church Memorial Fund, or to a charity of your choice. neil bardal Inc. 949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 13, 2006