LILLIAN CORDNER

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LILLIAN CORDNER It is with great sadness that the family of Lillian Cordner announces her peaceful passing, at the young age of 81 years, on July 22, 2014 at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg. Lillian was a devoted mum, "mama," wife, sister, aunt and a great friend. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Andrew (Andy), December 10, 2000 and predeceased tragically by her daughter and son-in-law, Serena and Wayne, October 12, 2007. She was also predeceased by her brother, John, her dad and mum, sister-in-law Irene, and recently her dear sister, Mabel. Mum touched the hearts and lives of many whose paths she crossed with her caring, compassion and endurance. Revered qualities she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Mum was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, March 26, 1933, and was baptized in the Church of Ireland. She was dedicated to her faith, she attended Calvary Temple and looked forward to getting together with her group at Connections that she loved so much. Mum will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Suzanne (John) and her son Christopher (Shannon). "Mama" will be sadly missed by her seven grandchildren, Jonathan, Ashley, Alex, Brittany, Amber, Ainsley and Megyn, her nephew in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Richard (June) and great nieces, Rachel and Ruth. She will be sadly missed by her special friend, Alvin Corne and his wife, Sharron Corne and family, who embraced Mum to always be a part of their family. Mum will be sadly missed by co-workers and numerous friends, here in Canada and Northern Ireland. Mum always talked about writing a book about her experiences and adventures, she always said she had a wonderful life. Mum told many stories about growing up during the Second World War. To mention a few, she always told us how the people of Belfast bonded together, cloaked and taped all the windows so the enemy planes could not see the city during the night. Or when the family fled to the countryside for safety, she slept with horses in the bedroom because they had to be brought into the house. The animals were terrified of the bomb explosions. After the war, Mum would work on her Granny's farm or enjoy the seaside cottage in Bangor. Mum left Belfast, October 31, 1957 to come to Canada by boat on the Empress of Britain with her dear friend, now Anna Dickson. When they arrived in Montreal and hopped the train to Winnipeg, while on their journey Anna and Mum would sing hymns, which attracted a young man, Stuart Frain who was en route to Winnipeg to pastor in a new church. Anna and Mum felt content, because despite Mum only having five pounds in her pocket, they now knew Canada had a place for them to worship. That is when she met her best friend, now Janie Towells. Through the 55 years they always kept in touch and in Mum's later years, every Friday, Mum and Janie would get together for dinner. Mum had a lot of suitors, but when she met Dad, that was a romance story made for a movie. Fate was behind everything, when Mum and Dad met in a group of fellow Irish friends, there was instant attraction, it was magic, but something separated them. Until one warm summer evening, a year later, Mum went to a production at the Rainbow Stage and low and behold who was sitting right behind her...Dad. This time he did not let her get away and the rest is history. They had their three children, a house and a dog. Mum's caring and compassion is reflected through her years working, starting in Canada as a nanny for the Patersons, at a daycare, Central Park Lodge, Holy Family Nursing Home, Maples Care Home and having special friends to care for, something she loved to do. The family wishes to express their greatest gratitude to Melanie Raymundo, the paramedics, Health Sciences Centre Emergency, Grace Hospital Emergency, Dr. Borratt and all the wonderful staff on 5N for their compassionate care for Mum. We invite everyone to come and celebrate Mum's life to reminisce, to share more stories of how she touched people's lives. We ask for everyone to wear a token of pink, Mum's favourite colour in her memory. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Thomson Funeral Home, 669 Broadway. A gathering of family and friends will follow in the Thomson Funeral Reception Area. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY 204-783-7211 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 26, 2014