Crawford, Lilian Margaret Rose (née Hewison)
May 21st, 2019
February 12, 1923 ~ May 21, 2019
Passed away peacefully at McCormick Home, on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, with loving family by her side, in her 97th year. A tree was in full bloom outside her room, the sun was shining and the birds were singing, a light breeze coming in from the open window by her bed. It was her favourite kind of spring day. Predeceased by her husband, Jim of nearly 50 years, and her parents, Richard and Elizabeth Hewison. Lovingly remembered by her children and their spouses: Terry (Darlene), Dan (Zahida), the late Bruce (Barb), Brian (Monica), and Cathy (Sean); her 11 grandchildren and their partners: Erin (Tim), Amy (Joost), Norah (Andy), Adam (Nadia), Laila (Yasseen), Jess (Ian), Emily (Adam), Stacy (Jim), Mike (Tanya), Sarah (Nick), and Rachel (Hugh); and her 6 great-grandchildren, Ella, Max, Hannah, Jack, Emma and Emerson. She will also be dearly missed by her sister-in-law, Dolores; her many nieces and nephews here in Canada, the UK and Australia; and by Elaine, her friend for over 50 years.
Lilian was a little woman with a huge sense of humour and a never ending love for her family. She was a stranger in a strange land when she arrived in Canada at the end of 1946, fresh off a boat carrying war brides to their new life. Lilian embraced this new life and put all her energies into creating a home for her husband and 5 children. Life was not always easy in those early years but she maintained that English stiff upper lip, enhanced with a good dose of English wit and her own particular brand of “determination”. Her father often said her stubbornness would be her undoing, but turned out it kept her going long past her 96th birthday!
She loved many things: music, dancing, handcrafts, flowers and gardening, Agatha Christie, puzzles (both word and jigsaw), a good game of Scrabble, and a great “cuppa” tea. She loved animals and spring, and all her beloved pets: many cats and dogs, a bird and a duck! Most of all, she loved her family on both sides of the ocean, those still here and those long gone. We are forever grateful for the decades she gave us and now have released her to be once again with her husband and son and the Hewison clan. If you hear a bit of thunder and lightning over the next little while, know that a massive “knees up” is going on upstairs as she is welcomed by them all. Her mother told her “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken”, and she didn’t, not until the very end.
Lilian’s family want to send a special thanks to the staff at the McCormick Home, so many of you gave Mum much love, care and moments of happiness in her final years, as well as amazing support to her family. I know I am missing some names but special shout outs to: Dr. Birch, Ashleigh, Carrie, Randi, Barbara, Jody, and Sabrina, our activity queen. Theresa, your companionship to Mum in the last 6 months of her life was wonderful. The biggest of hugs to Rosemary, Mum’s companion angel for 5 1/2 years. Your friendship to her and our family was a blessing, we will never forget you.
A memorial service will be conducted at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, on Sunday, May 26, 2019 at 12:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Lilian are asked to consider Paws United (PUDR) or McCormick Care Foundation.
Charitable donations may be made to:
McCormick Care Foundation
Paws United (PUDR)
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McCormick Care Foundation
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Crawford Lilian Margaret Rose nee Hewison May 21st 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: London, Province: Ontario