Obituaries

LILIAN MARY KINGHORN

(nee SYKES)

October 1, 1922 – November 30, 2018

Mom was born October 1, 1922 in Stoughton, Saskatchewan to Lilian and Ernest Sykes. She was raised in the Stoughton area for a short time and the family then relocated to a ¼ Section farm outside of Kamsack, Saskatchewan where she lived until she left home and moved to Winnipeg.  Mom was the second child to the Sykes family with one older Brother Fred. Her life on the farm was typical for the time with chores to be done and help around the house. However, she did tell stories of how she and Fred had to walk to school and back daily and how occasionally they would get a ride with a horse cart or in the “490” Chev, but this was rare. She also spoke of how they used the haystack for skiing and sliding during the winter as they grew up. She had many friends in the area and as kids we were taken to Kamsack at least once a year for a visit of usually a week or so.

Mom had wanted to be a nurse but based on the time and the Second World War she was unable to do this and as such sought out employment as a Bank Teller at the Bank of Montreal in Osborne Village. In 1952 she and Dad were married at the Augustine United Church in Winnipeg and shortly after moved out to Great Falls where Dad was working for the Manitoba Hydro Electrical Board. They were there for several years and then Dad was moved to Seven Sisters where they remained until 1969.  Malcolm came along in May of 1955 and then Meredith in August of 1957. Mom enjoyed bringing up the two of us and gave us the best upbringing that was possible. Mom was active in the community, taught Sunday school at the Church in Seven Sisters and also played the piano for church. Our house was always the place that the Minister would come to either before or after Church. Mom was also quite active in the 4H program in Seven Sisters as well as Whitemouth. During the time in Seven Sisters she was a stay at home mom although on a few occasions she did teach at the Seven Sisters School.  She actually baby sat us while the teacher was away, but nevertheless this was a thrill for us.  She made many good and lifelong friends while in Seven Sisters and has outlasted most of them. In the summer of 1969 we moved to Great Falls with Dad taking a Senior Operator position there. Mom’s involvement in the community continued with Women’s Institute, Hospital Auxiliary and 4 H to name a few. Mom was even recognized by the Lieutenant Governor of the day, F. L. Jobin, for her Volunteer Work. Mom and Dad also became quite actively involved in the United Church at Pine Falls. During this period Manitoba Hydro was looking for tour guides and Mom signed up for this and as such toured many different groups through the Pine Falls Generating Station over a number of years. This was her second career. Mom and Dad retired in 1986 and moved from Great Falls to Lac du Bonnet residing at the corner of Park Avenue and Macintosh Street.  She was always so tickled to say that she had a Park Avenuer address. In September 2013 they moved into Park Manor. While in Lac du Bonnet Mom was quite active in St. Johns Anglican Church as well as participating in several different Groups.  The Church meant a lot to Mom and she enjoyed things like Bible Study, Women’s World Day of Prayer as well as volunteering within the Church Groups.

Mom also had her own trials and tribulations in that she experienced Colon Cancer twice and successfully underwent surgery on both occasions. Then at the age of 91 underwent the same surgery a third time as scar tissue from the past surgeries had created an issue. She was a fighter and even at this age made it through easily. It was her belief that the surgeries were God’s way of saying be careful and that she made it through these events as she had the Lord on her side.

Mom was predeceased by her parents Ernest and Lilian as well as her brother Fred and his wife Marjorie, then Dad in 2016.  She had also seen the passing of many of her close and dear friends however she took each passing in stride, did her mourning and always felt that God had a reason for calling the person home. She is survived by son Malcolm (Shelagh); granddaughter Michelle (Devin); grandson Christopher (Sheena); daughter Meredith (Jim); granddaughters Sherry (Jay) Amanda (Ben) and great grandchildren Kobie, Kane, Carter, Kayleigh, Adrianna and Maya. She is also survived by her nieces and nephew Laurel (Doug), Jon (Sue), Marilyn (Robert) and their families.

Mom adored her grandchildren. As kids growing up, she and Dad would take them to the cottage in Whitewold for a week or so in the summer and as they got older, they would be registered into swimming lessons at the Lac du Bonnet Beach and would spend two weeks or so with Naners and Poppa. She always wanted them to be safe in the water!  As the kids grew into adults and started lives of their own, she would always ask for updates on them and was always so proud of their accomplishments.

Mom spent the last couple of months of her life in the Pinawa Hospital and had been “panelled” so was just waiting for a personal care home bed at the time of her passing.  Being the strong person that she was we feel that she left on her terms being healthy, both mentally and physically, to the end. We know that she missed Dad and her family and friends terribly and from the way that she spoke at the end they were all there, at the doorway to her room, waiting for her.

Thank you to Dr. Bruneau and the Staff at the Pinawa Hospital for the care that you provided to our Mom.

A Celebration of Mom’s Life will take place on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, located at 253 McArthur Avenue south of Minnewawa Street in Lac du Bonnet with reception to follow at the Pioneer Club, located at the corner of Park Avenue and 2^nd Street.  A time will be set aside during the Ceremony for memories of Mom to be shared by those in attendance and we would ask that if you have a special memory please feel free to bring it forward.

If you so choose donations may be made in Mom’s memory to a charity of your choice.

Condolences may be sent to www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com

Rest in Peace Mom – You are Terribly Missed.

Love You – To the Moon and Back