Lillian Martha MacKay
July 20, 1936 ~ April 13, 2013
Lil passed away early Saturday, April 13 at the age of 76 after suffering a stroke. She is survived by her husband Bill, mother Dora, sister Eileen, son Mick, daughter-in-law Remona, daughter Linda, son-in-law Skye and grandchildren Kyle (Sonja), Brandon, Cody, Alix (Andrew), Max (Siobhan) and niece Lori-Ann (Tony).
Born in Ituna, Saskatchewan she lived in Winnipeg, Brantford and Toronto before her father moved the family to Burnaby and established a grocery and butcher shop at Sperling and Hastings. Lil attended Capitol Hill School and met Bill after finishing her education at Burnaby High School. They married and enjoyed nights out dancing together at nightclubs in Vancouver and hosting their many friends at their home in East Vancouver. They had two children, Mick and Linda, before emigrating to the USA where Bill continued to work as a sign painter and Lil became a medical steno.
In 1965 they returned to Canada and opened a sign shop in Williams Lake which they grew together into the successful business known as Mac Signs. Camping, hunting and fishing were outdoor passions, as were water skiing, snowmobiling and riding trail bikes everywhere in the Cariboo Chilcotin region. Quesnel Lake was a special place for the family and many happy days were spent together on the water, camping on the beaches, with music and laughter filling the evenings around the campfires.
Lil was active in the Chamber of Commerce for many years and created the colourful character of Diamond Lil, appearing in the Stampede Parade as the proprietress of the Chamber-sponsored saloon at the Elks Hall.
She enjoyed people and was a fun-loving gal who never took life too seriously, believing that the sun was about to shine each day. Her life with Bill was filled with adventure and her children were her pride and joy. Parties with family and friends at the house on North Lakeside, the cabin at Big Lake, and eventually the house at 150 Mile House were always her chance to shine, with goofy wigs, masks, and singing to hit songs bringing out her fun-loving personality.
After the kids were out on their own, Lil and Bill traveled to Scotland, Hawaii, Costa Rica and other destinations in the USA and Canada. Lil retired from business in 2010 and spent her last few years caring for Bill who remains in care at Seniors Village in Williams Lake.
Only eight weeks ago Lil lost her ability to drive and six weeks ago moved into assisted living at the Seniors Village where she began a new chapter in her life, quickly making a new circle of friends and enthusiastically participating in every social opportunity. She was developing memory loss and was confused at times but took great comfort in continued contact with her family and friends and was excited at the prospect of enjoying her new life.
Lil will be missed greatly by all who knew her, and her memory will inspire us to look to the positive, know that the sun is always about to shine, to live and to love with spontaneity and laughter.
A Celebration of Lillian’s life will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Compassionate Care Funeral Home, 180 Comer Street, Williams Lake.
Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in lieu of flowers.
Compassionate Care Funerals entrusted with arrangements. 250-392-3336