Lillian Margaret Neufeld

Beloved mother, wife, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully in the compassionate care of the Lynn Valley Care Centre staff.

Lillian Margaret Neufeld (Wilson, Biggane) passed away peacefully on September 10, 2024 in Lynn Valley Care Centre. Predeceased by loving husband Benjamin Neufeld, married 32 years, as well as her father Arthur Patrick Biggane of Cappoquin, Waterford County, Ireland, mother Ena Mabel Biggane (LeGresley) of Dover, England, brother Arthur Alfred Biggane (Meryl) and family of Chicago, brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, Erle and Dorothy Wilson of Estevan and Dorothy and Gerard Ladner of Santa Cruz, California.

Lovingly survived by her children Sherry Lee Wilson-McEwen (Alec, predeceased) of Calgary and Terry Lynn Wilson and William (Bill) Arthur Wilson (Annelis) of North Vancouver, sister Arlene Frances Simpson (Dayton, predeceased) of Abbotsford, first husband Ronald James Wilson (Christel), married 30 years, of Parksville; step-children Jerry Neufeld (Charlene) and family of Abbotsford, Lyle Neufeld, Linda Neufeld and Marjorie McCue (Richard) of Didsbury; nephews Bruce Wilson (Lorrette) and family, Kevan Ladner (Tricia) and family, Hildon Ladner, of Calgary, Derald Ladner (Susan) and family of Lakeport, California; nieces Carla Marie Kirk (Brian) of Abbotsford, Judy Yathon (Tony) and family of Calgary; grandchildren Alina Ashley Wilson of Vancouver and Carmen Michelle McGruddy (Jaydn) of Langwarrin, Australia.

Lillian was born at home on a farm near Beechy, Saskatchewan but over the course of her life, her adventurous spirit took her all over Western Canada and beyond. She studied until grade 10 and then at age 16 completed a Diploma Business program in stenography. She married her first husband, Ronald Wilson in 1948 at just 19 years of age, with whom she had three children, Sherry, Terry and Bill.

Lillian and Ron came to Vancouver on a holiday in 1960. She instantly fell in love with the city and suggested that he get a job here. When Ron asked about work with McMillan Bloedel they said, “Where have you been? We’ve been looking everywhere for someone like you." And just like that, three weeks later the family had packed up their house in Regina and moved to Vancouver. They rented for a year while they had their new house built on Calder Avenue in North Vancouver. Four generations moved into the house together: Lillian, Ron and their children, as well as her parents, sister and grandfather. Lillian often said how much she loved her mother and she showed this by moving them all out here as quickly as possible. She repeated many times that her “mom was the best mom in the world”.

Lillian was a fiercely protective mother and her children were her pride and joy. Whether standing up for them to a teacher, dentist or mean classmate, or encouraging each of them in their personal hopes and dreams, she was always thinking about their well-being. She gave them every opportunity she could, from horseback riding lessons to piano – going as far as ensuring that their North Vancouver dream house was built close to the stables. Every holiday was filled with the smell of baking, as she whipped up countless goodies. When her nephews Kevan, Hildon and Derald lost their parents in 1972, she took the boys into her family with an open heart and looked after them as her own. The family had various pets over the years and she cherished her cat Muffin most of all.

After Lillian and Ronald ended their marriage, she found a new love with her second husband, Ben, in 1984. They had a wonderful marriage and enjoyed each other’s company, and she watched out for him with that same deep caring. She became a devout Christian and held God close in her heart. Together Lillian and Ben worked in Hawaii twice with Mission Builders, building the PACU Campus, beginning in winter 1985/86.

Lillian had a delightful sense of humour, always ready to laugh and joke around. It made her a great favourite with the staff members at the Lynn Valley Care Centre and previously at Churchill House. It also earned her tight friendships, including her friends Michael (predeceased) and Don, with whom she spent many hours in laughter.

Lillian was a fiery, spirited person and at just 5’1” her motto was “Good Things Come in Small Packages”. A proverb that she shared with her eldest daughter Sherry. She may have sometimes stressed about the small things in life, but never complained about the big things, instead facing every challenge with her head held high. Even the loss of her eyesight didn’t affect her sense of humour. She gave generously to her church and to local food banks.

She had a deep love of reading and in her later years spent countless hours enjoying audiobooks with the help of the North Vancouver District Library. She also loved music and delighted in the church hymns every Sunday. Lillian also loved to dance, even into her 90s. She moved gracefully, whether, ballroom dancing or square dancing.

Lillian was a good and caring mother who knew her children better than anyone. Her children and grand- children are her legacy. She will be greatly missed.

Her ashes will be laid to rest at 2:00 PM Friday September 27, 2024 at the North Vancouver Cemetery. Donations can be made in her memory to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, which she supported generously.