Lyall was born in Roblin, Manitoba to John Clarence and Lillian (nee Appel) McConnell. The family moved to Winnipeg in 1930, then to Brandon in 1937. Following high school, she worked as a caregiver at the Brandon Psychiatric Hospital prior to marrying Douglas Collister of Brandon on 28 September 1951. She and Doug were married for over 65 years and blessed with 6 children, 14 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. Lyall was mostly a stay-at-home mother as she and Doug made homes in Victoria BC, Nanaimo BC, Leamington ON, Fort William ON, Brandon MB, Saskatoon SK, North Battleford SK, Abbotsford BC and finally Mission BC.
As her children became more independent Lyall returned to work as a caregiver at Battlefords Regional Care Center, Glenmore Auxiliary Hospital in Calgary, Rainbow Ridge Care Home in Maple Ridge and 3rd Avenue Group Home in Mission.
Lyall’s biggest joy was her family and she was happiest when surrounded by them. She was an avid reader and usually had several books on the go. Lyall was an expert and prolific crocheter and all family members have a sample of her work as a memory. Lyall loved to bake and many of her recipes are family favorites that will continue to be enjoyed. She loved animals. Lyall had several dogs during her childhood and owned cats from time to time throughout her life.
Lyall is remembered as that mother who would cheer loudly and proudly at her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events - apparently to the dismay of the person being cheered for, although she was loved for it. She was also the family “Trivial Pursuit” champion, being able to answer even the most obscure of questions to the amazement of everyone. It was often Lyall versus the rest of the family.
Later in life Lyall loved to talk. She would take any opportunity to chat, whether to family, friends or perfect strangers, be it at a line up at the supermarket, the bank, or anywhere. She had a quirky sense of humour and loved to laugh. Her upbeat and positive attitude helped her deal with the adversity of her strokes which ironically took her ability to form sentences coherently. She would often laugh at herself when the wrong words came out.
Following her first stroke, Lyall was able to remain living at home with her devoted husband Doug. After suffering a second stroke in late 2017 she was unable to remain at home. Lyall moved to The Residence in Mission (TRIM) where her husband Doug was able to visit and spend each day with her.
Lyall is predeceased by her husband, Douglas Collister, her brother Bill McConnell, and her sister Dell Crittenden. She is survived by her children Douglas (Barbara), Ainsley (Steven), Darryl (Helen), Alison (Roy), Paul (Tish) and Michael (Jennefer); grandchildren (Jordan (Karolina), Ethan (Andrea), Dustin (Anna), Sarah, Jared (Heather), Thomas (Whitney), Timothy, Diandra, Joshua, Zachary, Elliott, Ian, Damara and Dixon); and great-grandchildren (Kaden, Addisyn, Hunter, Maya, Sawyer, Hendrix, Dominic and Eliana).
The family would like to thank the staff at TRIM (particularly Chrysanthi, Bev, and Carlos) for their wonderful care of Lyall and family members as she finally slipped away.
Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.hendersonabbotsfordfunerals.com. If desired, memorial tributes may be made to The Residence in Mission (TRIM) through the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation at www.fvhcf.ca. Alternatively, a donation to your local humane society would be most appropriate.
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