Lillian’s Obituary
Lillian was the youngest of 14 children born to the Bellows family. She was athletic, energetic, musical, humorous, and compassionate towards others. Being the youngest, she was able to slip out of some of the chores the others had to do and run across the field to play with the kids next door.
It was evident early in her life that she had a great commitment to serving her Lord and Savior. She attended Pambrun Bible College and there felt the Lord’s call on her life to minister to the Indigenous people in the north. The Northern Evangelical Mission paired her up with Carol Davis, another young lady with the same passion to serve as a missionary to the North. They were flown into South Indian Lake, where they spent 10 years ministering to the people there. They lived in the humblest of housing and with meagre food supplies. Fish was the main food as they weren’t allowed to hunt for game. If given a choice, Lillian never ate fish again! While living there, Lillian had a dog sled team that she used to get around in the winter.
Lillian returned home to Hyas, SK, to become the caregiver for her mother until her passing. In that time, she did a correspondence course and received her grade 12. She applied to Brandon University and spent the next few years obtaining her education certificate.
She was hired by the Manitoba government to teach in an Indigenous school in Cumberland House, MB. This job came with better housing and great supplies for the school. She spent 6-7 years teaching there then retired to the Hyas homestead.
In 1975, an RTM home was purchased and moved onto the site of the old house.
Lillian enjoyed being outdoors and loved God’s beautiful creation, especially birds and flowers. She spent many hours watching the birds that flocked to her bird haven for food and protection. She also loved gardening and growing flowers. She was very proud of her pink and yellow lady slipper patch and the wide range of colourful gladiolus. She was always generous and shared the bounty of her garden with others. She had the gift of hospitality and made anyone who stopped in welcome.
She was always industrious. She enjoyed building things, usually bird houses or bird feeders. If she was not working outside, she was visiting family and friends. There was a great gathering at coffee times with brothers and sisters who lived close by. Her family was so important to her. She knew the names of every baby born into the family and she prayed for each one. She loved to go to Ketchen Lake Bible camp to worship and to help in in the kitchen.
In 2010, she moved to Preeceville to take up residence in the Assiniboine Valley Manor. She had a small garden patch and flower garden. She transplanted some of her precious lady slippers. From there she still drove to Norquay and Hyas to visit friends and family. She welcomed visitors with coffee and “garbage food” as she called chips and crackers. Visitors enjoyed singing along while she played the organ and sang.
When daily life got too difficult for her, she moved to the Preeceville Personal Care Home. She was excited to be able to take her organ along. She played often in the evenings and the residents would enjoy hearing her music. She met many new friends there and was very well cared for.
In the summer of 2021, she had health issues that necessitated a move to Canora Gateway Lodge, where the wonderful staff looked after her until her passing.
Lillian leaves a legacy of love and service for her many nieces, nephews, and friends. She touched so many lives in her lifetime. She would want us to carry on her work by sharing Jesus with others.
Gifts in remembrance may be given to the Canora Gateway Lodge or Preeceville Personal Care Home (℅ Barb Patzer Box 64, Ebenezer SK S0A 0T0) or as etransfers sent to barbpatzer@gmail.com with designation in the message section and password Lillian.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 4, 2022 from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora, SK.
*Live stream link will be posted here.*
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Lillian Bellows 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Canora, Province: Saskatchewan