Lillian Marie Szpak

A pillar of her family and of her community, Lillian Marie Szpak (MA), loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and longtime Langford city councillor, passed away suddenly at home in Langford on May 2. She is survived by her husband Bob, her son Michael (Tanya Sunshine), Patrick (Bryna Hallam), her grandchildren, Charlie and Dallas Sunshine, and her siblings Honora (Sigurd Johannesen), Ann-Marie (Alisa Palmer), and John-Hugh (Mary Johnston).

Lillian was born a coal miner’s daughter in New Waterford, Cape Breton Island, on April 25, 1953, to Mary MacDonald (nee Abbass) and Malcolm MacDonald. Her father joined the RCAF and Lillian grew up an Air Force brat, living in Namao, Alberta; 4 Fighter Wing, Baden, Germany; RCAF station Centralia, Hamilton, Kingston, and Ottawa.

Lillian grew up a free-range child. At Ben Eoin, Cape Breton, she learned to swim by jumping off the old wharf, cooked clams in a tin can on the beach with her cousins, made houses in the woods, sang around hundreds of campfires, and played countless games of Hearts and Gin Rummy. A natural musician, Lillian learned to play the bagpipes and piano.

After graduating as the valedictorian from Gloucester High School in Ottawa, Lillian went on to become a registered medical records librarian and then to teach in both official languages at the Youville School.

While in Kingston, Lillian had met her high school sweetheart, Bob Szpak, in 1967. They were married in 1975, in Ottawa, following Bob’s graduation from the Royal Military College.

Lillian embraced military life, moving in one year from Saint Jean, Quebec, to Chilliwack, B.C., to London, Ontario, where their two sons, Michael and Patrick, were born.

From 1977 to 1993, there were military moves from Petawawa, to Cold Lake, to Kingston, and three wonderful years in Lahr, Germany. Finally, the choice was made to stay in Victoria, B.C., in 1993.

Ever resourceful, Lillian found her place in every base and community. She worked as a swimming teacher for children with Down syndrome, created an extraordinary piano music program in Cold Lake, worked as a medical records librarian, an audio librarian, admissions clerk, and in retail.

On arrival in Langford, Lillian traded the role of military spouse for partner with Bob, opening Thetis Lake Physio Therapy in 1998. Lillian’s membership in the Westshore Chamber of Commerce and volunteer appointment to the board of the Greater Victoria Public Library started her political career.

Soon after, Lillian ran as a newcomer for Langford council in 2002. During the campaign she was struck by a car while biking (a favourite activity) and seriously injured. Undaunted, she continued her campaign and won, the first of seven victories. Lillian was one of Langford’s most trusted and recognizable civic leaders. Notably, Lillian was never defeated municipally, and respected throughout the province. She was asked to run in 2011 for the federal Liberals, and thought it was an amazing experience.

In 2008 she graduated with a master’s of leadership from Royal Roads, with a focus on engaging and empowering adolescent at-risk girls.

In 2022 Lillian was elected to Langford’s first majority-female council, an achievement of which she was proud to be a part.

Lillian was admired for her integrity, and her willingness to listen and change her mind if she thought it was in the community’s best interest. She was so proud to be from Langford. Her joy in Langford’s blossoming over her 24 years on council was clear to anyone she met. She always said it was the highest honour to serve your community.

Outside of politics, Lillian’s world was Bob, her boys, and her grandchildren (who loved being over at Nana’s house). Family dinners, theme parties, and every holiday were all fuelled by Lillian’s boundless energy, love, and optimism. Lillian was the consummate hostess. She made every gathering a special occasion. She could whip up delectable pies and cookies, seemingly with her eyes closed, and always filled with love.

She loved nature, and spent part of every day walking and swimming in Thetis Lake park with family and her beloved dogs, Smokey, Bella, and Honeybun.

Lillian and Bob loved to travel, and saw much of the world together and with their sons. Highlights included Alaskan and Mediterranean cruises, Danube river bike trips, Hawaiian getaways, the Egyptian pyramids, China’s Great Wall, and Jordan’s Petra.

With Bob, Lillian was a proud member of the Royal Colwood Golf Club, where she honed her game and made a hole in one on the seventh hole. She was also a voracious reader and Scrabble ace. She had a wicked sense of humour: a jokester, she delighted in pranking family and friends on April Fool’s Day.

Lillian loved her family and friends and her community deeply. She lived every day to the fullest, and we will miss her forever. She burned bright till the very end. We love you, Lillian.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund.