LILLIAN GIESBRECHT

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LILLIAN GIESBRECHT (SHERMAN, HARRIS) 1928 - 2017 Lillian died at Beacon Hill Nursing Home, Winnipeg, Manitoba on March 29, 2017. Many family members had been with her in the preceding days. She is missed by her children Margaret (Bob), David (Evelyn), Gordon (Marlene), Audrey (Camille), Roger (Gail), and Albert (Wendy), along with grandchildren Andrew, Laura, Jason, Tanya, Michael, Jennifer, Gregory, Richard, Kayla, Jonathon and Julia, along with several great-grandchildren. She will also be missed by her remaining siblings Shirley, Marjorie and Frank. Mother was the eldest child of Edward and Margaret Day and has always been a Manitoban, starting her life in Bowsman. Following in her mother's footsteps she became a teacher, running one-room school houses in western Manitoba and the Interlake. She influenced many young students, including the challenge of being mother and teacher to most of us kids for some of our early learning years! Mother was a devoted Christian and enjoyed going to Church, teaching Sunday school, and partaking in Bible Study groups. She spent her adult life focused on learning, teaching and being involved in the community. After retirement she moved to Winnipeg and enjoyed travel to both coasts of Canada. She became active in her Kiwanis residence association, the Salvation Army Church, in various seniors groups and enjoyed many social activities. Mom developed Alzheimer's in her early 70s, and by 2005 she had to move to Beacon Hill Lodge, where she eventually became one of the longest-term residents. Her disease progressed steadily, to the point that she had little recognition of her family. We are sad about that, but we have many joyous memories of her. Mom taught us the value of a good education and hard work and grit, being responsible citizens, doing more with less, and focusing on helping others. Her lessons to us were from the heart - not the stuff you learn from books. We have memories of labouring in our large vegetable garden, foraging for berries and wild mushrooms, of Mom's failed efforts (but her ultimate success) at Ukrainian cooking, teaching the boys hunting and trapping skills, her lectures to "get that homework done", freshly made cookies for the grandkids, and many family celebrations, most recently opening Christmas gifts and eating dainties with her last Christmas. We owe so much gratitude to the staff at Beacon Hill for their compassion, patience and excellent care they provided our mother. Cremation has taken place at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and a private family memorial service will be held later. The family declines flowers but would appreciate a donation to the Alzheimer Society or CancerCare Manitoba.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 01, 2017