LILLIAN ROSE SLIMMEN

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LILLIAN ROSE SLIMMEN October 15, 1912 - December 17, 2010 We are, all of us moulded and remoulded, By those who have loved us, No love, no friendship, Can ever cross the path of our destiny Without leaving some mark upon it, Forever. Peacefully on December 17, 2010, at the age of 98, our beloved Mom and Nana passed on. Lillian was predeceased by her father Albert Arthur Avery on August 29, 1918 (First World War); her mother and stepfather Clara and Bill Langston; step-siblings, Daisie Kirkland, Rose Naidoff and Walter Langston; her husband Peter Marinus Slimmen on May 14, 1967; son-in-law Chris Quesnel (Bonnie) on May 8, 1993; daughter-in-law Dorothy Macaulay (Peter) on January 28, 1995 and her paternal sister Ivy May Crocombe on March 22, 2006. Left to forever cherish her memory are Son Peter Slimmen, grandchildren, Dean Macaulay, Roberta Lajoie and Douglas Macaulay (Mary-Jo), great-grandchildren, Matheu Macaulay, Michelle Lajoie (Jason Chartrand), Mandi Silvari (Shawn) and Ben Macaulay; her great-great-grandchildren Kian, Kade and Koen Chartrand and Taryn, Talia and Taya Silvari; Daughter May Wachal (Tom), grandchildren Tom Wachal (Cathy) and Sandy Keates (Jeff), great-grandchildren, Thomas, Peter, Georgette and Catelin Wachal and Joshua and Emma Keates; Daughter Audrey Slimmen (Brian Tomkins), grandson Peter Smith and great-granddaughter Ashlin Smith; Daughter Bonnie Bellemare (Andre), grandchildren Corey Quesnel (Colleen), Tammy (Jeremy) and Jody Kulyk (Andrew), great-grandchildren, Dean, Brad and Tanner Quesnel, Jacob, Ivy, Jarred, Phoenix and Lacey and Cooper Kulyk. With the outbreak of the Second World War our father enlisted, joined the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and went overseas leaving Mom and two small children behind just as her father had done on March 29, 1916 when Mom was three and her sister was five. It was around this time Mom joined the Ladies' Auxiliary Prince Edward Legion #181. This is where Mom used her self taught skill of knitting socks, mitts, sweaters, etc. for the men overseas. Mom was a proud member of the Legion and it became an important part of her life. She really enjoyed the camaraderie and never hesitated to help in the kitchen, sell raffle tickets, attend conventions, present wreaths on Remembrance Day and holding the position of Poppy Fund Affiliate Trustee and Poppy Chairman for several years. In 1966 Mom received her Auxiliary 25 year service pin from the then Premier Duff Roblin. To mark Canada's Centennial in 1967, she and her friend Betty Roberts each knit 50 pairs of mitts and donated them to Stella Mission in Winnipeg's North End. In 1974 she was awarded a Life Membership by the Ladies' Auxiliary of Prince Edward in appreciation of services rendered. To celebrate the 125th Birthday of Canada, Mom decided to knit 125 pairs of mitts and give them to the Christmas Cheer Board. After eight months, hundreds of hours and a mountain of wool her project was finished and, as a bonus, 14 dolls were outfitted with beautiful knitted clothes. Mom loved animals, especially dogs. The love of her life was a small black Cockapoo with tiny white paws, aptly named Boots. He came into her life when he was just a pup and they kept each other company for many years. Mom had a favourite chair in the living room, this was her work station with the wool and needles in close proximity. Boots had a favourite place also, on the chesterfield, lying on a pillow with his head resting on the arm of the chesterfield about three feet from her chair. Mom was also self taught in the art of crocheting. She made many, many doilies of different designs, colours and sizes, some she kept for herself, others she gave to family and friends. One of her great achievements was the time she crocheted four huge tablecloths (pine apple stitch) and gave one to each of her children at Christmas. In March of 2003 Mom had fallen at home and it had become necessary for hospital admittance as a precautionary measure. Fortunately her examination revealed nothing broken, but tests indicated Mom had borderline sugar diabetes, and it could be controlled with the proper low carbohydrate diet. Mom accepted this as she had to inject insulin to her own mother and wanted no part of that. Eventually home care was required a couple of times a week, which led to increased assistance, which led to being admitted to Concordia Hospital on February 12, 2008. While in the hospital Mom was exposed to MRSA and then placed in isolation for a number of weeks, then was placed in the acute care services section of the hospital to await placement in a personal care home. We had entered Mom's name on the waiting list at River East Personal Care Home in 2007 and on April 25, 2008 River East became her new home. All of the moving in the hospital had been very confusing for her, as was this latest move. Weeks went by before she finally accepted her new surroundings. Helping her to become adjusted were the animals, birds and fish. The two resident dogs visited often, which of course brought a huge smile to her face. River East is a beautiful place with caring staff and lots of activities for the elders to keep them busy. Mom enjoyed attending Friday afternoon's Happy Hour. This was live entertainment, usually a piano player, or a group of two or three playing mostly the old tunes. Mom loved to whistle, so she would join the sing-a-longs with her singing and whistling accompaniment. Mom loved all of the staff and made many new friends and acquaintances. Mom continued her knitting skills while in River East, and made about 40 circular, multi-coloured pot holders which she then gave to her family and newfound friends. (continued next column...)

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 07, 2011