Lillian Harwijne

Lillian was born in Vancouver on June 3, 1937. She began her teaching career in Prince George in about 1959, where she met John Harwijne. They married and welcomed their two children, Dawn and Keith.

Lillian and John spent about two and a half years living in Liberia before returning to Canada and moving to the Comox Valley in 1967. They also enjoyed spending time on Hornby Island, where they lived part-time for almost ten years.

Lillian began working with the Comox Valley School District in about 1969, teaching at Glacier View Elementary and Royston Elementary School. She retired in June 1992 after more than 30 years of teaching.

As a teacher, Lillian touched the lives of thousands of students. She was fun-loving and always willing to do whatever was needed at school. She even obtained her Class 4 driver's licence so she could drive a school bus and take students on trips. Lillian enjoyed teaching and believed in guiding students to become good citizens within their school communities and in their future lives.

Lillian always took life’s challenges in stride. She enjoyed developing her own interests. She was an accomplished public speaker and won at the Western Canada Toastmistress level. She loved music, scrapbooking, reading, knitting and swimming. Always eager to learn, she enjoyed taking courses through ElderCollege after retiring. Tracing her family lineage became very important to her. She loved to travel with John, her children and her granddaughter Heather.

Lillian's friendships were always valued and an important part of her life. Some friendships began during her school years and endured for more than 74 years, through careers, marriages, raising families and the many changes that life brought. They brought her many happy memories, laughter, travel and companionship throughout the years.

Those who knew Lillian will remember her kindness, sense of humour, laughter and love of life. She had a genuine interest in other people and a way of making those around her feel that they mattered.

Lillian will be lovingly remembered by her children, Dawn and Keith; her daughter-in-law Nora; her granddaughter Heather and her grandson-in-law Michel; and her great-grandchildren Ella and Emerson.

Lillian’s caring heart, strong spirit, fun-loving personality and unwavering love for her family will be deeply missed. Her memory will live on in the people she loved and in the little moments that will forever remind them of her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Comox Valley Hospice Society or the BC Cancer Foundation.

The family would like to thank everyone who shared a part of Lillian’s life and helped make her journey a meaningful one.