Lilian was born in Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire, England on March 15, 1927. She left school in her early teens as the Second World War was being fought and worked as a hairdresser's assistant and in a munitions plant. Toward the end of the war, Lilian was smitten by a handsome airman and she and Ken married soon after. To their delight, a son, Barry, was born in 1945. The new family lived in a small house with Ken's parents in Blackpool and a few years later, in 1950, was blessed with a little girl, Cheryl. In 1957, the family of four emigrated to Peterborough, Ontario. A year later, Ken's parents followed and moved in with them to a two bedroom apartment. Lilian secured a job as a hairdresser at a prestigious, local salon. They then moved to a couple of bigger rentals until they finally bought their first home in Peterborough in 1961, across the street from their best friends, Mil and Dave Clark. In 1965, Ken was transferred to St. Catharines and to Lilian's delight, a brand new house was purchased. In 1973, Ken changed jobs and they then moved to Mississauga where Lilian opened three small hairdressing businesses in nursing homes which she managed until 1997. During that time, Lilian and Ken bought a cottage on Six Mile Lake, Muskoka. Lilian rented rented, then bought her own condo after Ken died in 1985. She enjoyed taking and sometimes leading exercise classes, knitting, reading and lots of travelling with friends. She continued cottaging mostly independently until about 2012, when her declining mobility was restrictive, but still enjoyed visits to Six Mile until last year. Eight years ago, Lilian developed multiple myeloma and after a summer spent in hospital, determined that she needed more care, moved to Evergreen Retirement Community where she made countless friends among residents and staff.
Lilian was a fiercely independent and strong woman, both mentally and physically. She jokingly referred to herself as the family matriarch, but they all respected her as such. She had an amazing ability to remember people's names. She learned how to use a PC and then an iPad while in her eighties. She heartily supported all family endeavours and was exceedingly proud of her four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Lilian loved it when the little ones came to visit her at Evergreen and was so proud to show them off to friends and staff.
Lilian was strong, resilient, fun, loving and beautiful both inside and out. We will miss her funny sayings, her spoiling the great-grandchildren, and her unconditional love. She will be truly missed by all who knew her.