LILIAN HOPE NORMANDALE

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LILIAN HOPE NORMANDALE April 19, 1925 - April 30, 2018 From the smoke-filled skies over the River Tyne in Northern England to the prairie's bluest skies, Mom lived a life of love, happiness, family and friends. Born a McDougle in South Shields, County Durham, Mom endured coal smoke and smog; bombs, rationing, and Victory Gardens during the Second World War; the Burndept Battery factories; and Rogers Coal. The "Sky Bridge" brought her husband, Bill, to Winnipeg in 1957, and Mom followed with their two boys a year later. From a rooming house on Jessie Avenue to her home on Broad Bay, North Kildonan, Mom ensured that, in every way, each year was more successful for her family. Her patient demeanour concealed a sharp mind that was honed by innumerable crosswords and crypto-quotes, not to mention the hundreds of books that rotated through their designated location next to her chair. Her intellect and discipline to live well within their means were driving forces for the family. Her driving skills were another story, with a 3-speed manual Valiant eventually giving way to the first Honda Civic sold in Manitoba. Retiring in 1983, Mom and Dad moved to the Lac du Bonnet area for tranquil lakeside summers, and McAllen, Texas, for warm snowbird winters. In retirement, her love of and skill with china painting were at the forefront, with art studios overlooking Pinawa Bay and the citrus trees surrounding their winter Texan home. In 2000, Mom discovered the Interlake, fell in love with Aspen Park near Gimli, which resulted in yet another studio. Throughout it all, her diminutive height ("I am five feet and one-HALF inch tall!") never mattered, for Mom stood tall in everything she did: And she did it all well. At the insistence of her grandchildren, the "sweet" that ended countless three-generational family dinners rarely varied from her 'best ever' chocolate cake. Always seated toward the centre of the table, sitting back, taking it all in, Mom would quietly enjoy the ebb and flow of conversation, until her sense of humour was tripped. This would result in a full body laugh that would trigger everyone else to laugh even louder. Widowed in 2006, Mom's Geordie independence and a firm "I am fine" to every question about her health carried her well into her late 80s. Many thanks to Cheryl and all the staff at Betel for the later care and attention she received. The Interlake and our lives are poorer places with her gone. Mom was, in many ways, the reason for the family's later successes, all stemming from the decision to immigrate to Canada. Loved deeply and fondly remembered by Dave and Reena, Dick and Carole, grandson Jason and his Sabine, granddaughter Robyn and her Ryan, grandchildren Noah and Harmony, and the "bonny lad" great-grandson, Griffin, who brightened his Granny's days with each visit. "I am fine" - indeed she was: A truly fine woman in all senses of the word. Thank you, Mom. Buaidh No Bàs.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 05, 2018