LILY JUNE MATHESON (HOFFMAN)

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LILY JUNE MATHESON (nee HOFFMAN) On May 7, 2003 Lily passed away gently at home in her sleep. She had been extremely ill but appeared to be on her way to making a recovery. She had been looking forward to returning to her active lifestyle as a mother, grandmother and cherished friend. Lilys death leaves bereft her children, Graham, Cherie, Diana, Elizabeth, Paul, and Gary; and her grandchildren, Daniel, Kiara, Elyra, Amalia, Tabree, and Volante. She will also be missed by her beloved brother Albert and sister-in-law Betty; her sisters, Gloria and Linda; and her many nieces and nephews. Lily was predeceased by her much-loved husband Graham Alexander and her cherished younger brother Art. Lily was born on December 2, 1931 in Saskatoon. Her parents Andy and Jessie Hoffman raised their five children in Creighton, SK, bordering Flin Flon, MB. At age 15, Lily began working at the local bank where she met her future husband Graham. They married in 1952 and eventually moved to Winnipeg where they raised their children Graham, Diana, Elizabeth and Paul. In addition to her devotion to family, Lily was involved in a wide range of activities, including curling, travel, volunteer work and the arts. She worked for 20 years at Misericordia Hospital in Emergency / Admitting. Wherever she went, Lily made close friends whose lives she touched with her warmth, generosity, loyalty and infectious sense of humour (she was a particularly gifted mimic!). Lily was an instinctive artist, accomplished in several different media, such as oil painting, water colour, sculpting, fabric work and woodworking. Lily nurtured this creative spirit in each of her children. Lilys strong, independent qualities flourished when she began studying Tae Kwon Do in 1999. One of her proudest achievements was the day she split her first board. She went on to earn a First Degree Black Belt in 2001. Lily loved to travel. During her first trip to Europe in 2001, carrying nothing more than a 15 lb. backpack, Lily painted and sketched in the south of France and immersed herself in the life and culture of Paris. She had hoped to return to Europe again. In recent years Lily embraced computer technology to become even more actively involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren and friends across the continent. A memorial service will be held May 17, at 3:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. In lieu of sending flowers, Lily would want you to you go outside and smell the flowers this summer. Preferably on your way to a garage sale! A donation can also be made in Lilys name to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2003