Lillian Violet Pooke (Reidlinger)
December 12, 1932 – January 5, 2021
It is with the saddest of hearts that we say good-bye and thank you to our beloved Mom, Baba, Great Baba and Great-great Baba of Bruce, Alberta.
Lillian was born in the Ross Creek (Tofield) area to Frederick and Hilda Reidlinger. From Ross Creek Lillian and her family moved to a farm near Tofield and subsequently moved to a farm near Vegreville. Her father, Frederick Reidlinger, worked as a mechanic with his brother Ed in a garage in Vegreville. It was during these years, at the tender age of 9, that Lillian lost her mother. Lillian and her siblings were sent to live with relatives for the next few years until Frederick moved to Edmonton and gathered his children back together again. Lillian attended Eastwood School and North Edmonton School and left school half way through her Grade 10 year. Her first job was at WW Arcade and she then obtained a position at Oliver – now « Alberta Hospital » as a nurses aide. She loved this job and on her days off she would travel to Holden, Alberta to help her sister, Irene, with her children. On one of these trips Lillian met the love of her life, Stanley….(who just so happened to be Irene’s husband, (Joe’s) brother). On May 8th, 1951 Stanley and Lillian were married at Borschiw, Alberta. Their married life started out with their residence at a Coal Mine south of Holden, Alberta and they later moved onto Stanley’s parent’s farm near Borschiw, Alberta. In November of 1952 their son, Walter, was born, followed by their daughter, Vera in 1954 and Debbie in 1959. In the Spring of 1965 Stanley and Lillian bought a farm near Bruce, Alberta where they continued to raise their children and many other children who needed a place to stay.
Lillian was predeceased by her loving husband, Stanley, in 1988; her parents – Hilda and Frederick Reidlinger, Sister – Irene (Gertrude) and Brothers – Art, Alfred and William.
Lillian is survived by her 3 children – Son, Walter (Iris), Daughters – Vera (Blair) and Debbie (Gerald); who blessed her with 7 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and one more on the way, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Lillian was a caregiver. She was a selfless, kind, loving, caring, praying lady who welcomed everyone into her life and home at Bruce, Alberta. She loved gardening and cooking (she made the best Ukranian food on every Christmas Eve in her little farm house for her family and neighbors). Lillian loved to sing and her favourite song to sing to her grandchildren and great grandchildren was « You Are My Sunshine ». Her favourite song was « Coat of Many Colours » by Dolly Parton as she could relate her childhood to the words of this song. Lillian curled with the Bruce Seniors’ curling team; she loved participating and being a part of the Seniors float in the Bruce Stampede Parade every year for as long as she was able, and as her mobility slowed down she organized coffee days for the Bruce Seniors by phone and organized fruit pick ups for the « fruit man » that came into Bruce. Lillian lived for her family and prayed for them always. Besides raising their 3 children, Lillian and Stanley took in many more children who needed a home..special mention being made of Barbara Matwie (Chmil) who resided with them from 1969-1972 and became one of their daughters.
Lillian had adopted families that lived in her rural area…and they adopted her as well. Honourable mention is being made to Ben and Carol Grinde, Donnie and Elaine Laing and Bud Hammamaster whose love, kindness and continual support allowed her to live on her farm until she was in her 80’s.
After Stanley’s passing in 1988, Lillian knew she had to get her driver’s licence in order to be able to stay on her farm. And she did just that!!! Driving with one foot on the gas pedal and the other on the brake…and often stopping at the side of the road to let an oncoming vehicle pass by her…she was able to drive herself to all the surrounding small towns. Lillian never was issued a speeding ticket…however her family do wonder if she was ever issued a ticket for driving too slowly.
Lillian loved homemade carrot cake, she made the best Zucchini cakes, pancakes, christmas cakes, wheat at Christmas, Ukranian Food …well pretty much everything she made was unparalleled to any of us even attempting to try her recipes. Her farmyard always looked like a park in the summer with flowers grown in her own greenhouse and a huge garden that blessed her family and surrounding community with wonderful delicious vegetables.
Lillian was diagnosed with Bile Duct Cancer in late November, 2020 and went to be with her lord and savior on January 5th, 2021.
Lillian’s family wish to express their thanks to Dr. M. Hagan for her excellent care of Lillian,the Home Care Team at Viking, the staff at Viking Hospital, the staff at Viking Extended Care and a very special thank you to Louise Kocher of Beaver County Emergency Medical Services for her kindness, love and support of Lillian at a very trying time during her illness. We honour you all.
We also wish to express our thank you to Autumn Rose Funeral Home in Vegreville for taking care of Lillian’s funeral arrangements in such a kind and caring manner.
Due to Covid-19 government restrictions a private funeral service for family will be held at Autumn Rose Funeral Home in Vegreville, followed by an interment at Riverside Cemetery next to her husband, Stanley, with Pastor Tyler Ferguson officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Stars Air Ambulance and/or Beaver Ambulance Society, Box 1200, Tofield, AB T0B 4J0
» IF LILLIAN KNEW YOU……SHE LOVED AND PRAYED FOR YOU »
We will miss you forever and ever…but we will meet again our beautiful mama.
******To view the memorial video, please follow the Memorial Video tab on the opening page of Lillian’s profile******
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Lillian
Violet
Pooke 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Vegreville, Province: Alberta