December 13, 1920 ~ April 11, 2019
98 years young, passed peacefully into her Lord’s loving arms on April 11, 2019 in Edmonton, Alberta. Lila was born on December 13, 1920 in Naicam, Saskatchewan, and grew up in Flin Flon, MB. She was the daughter of the late Mattie (Tucker) and Harold Leask.
She was predeceased in 2003 by Percy, her beloved husband of 57 years. They were married when he returned from his air force duties as navigator on a Halifax bomber which flew night missions behind enemy lines to drop spies and equipment. Shortly afterwards, they moved from Flin Flon to Hamilton ON. Lila was a bookkeeper, and her last position was with Shoppers Drugs in Hamilton which she retired from at 72 years of age. Retirement bored her so she worked part-time at Wishes and Whims gift shop in Ancastor, where she thrived. Here, she always had her own change purse ready to top up any shortfalls from children’s purchases.
She is fondly remembered by her sisters; Joan McGuire of Ancaster, ON, Gail Wuotila of Calgary, AB and Ruth Brown of Winnipeg, MB, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by seven sisters; Marion Wilis, Pearl Balderston, Glenna Washburn, Joyce McDonald, Florence Cobban, and Shirley Kipot plus five brothers; Bernie, William “Bill”, Murray, garth, and Jack Leask.
She was immensely proud of her family and their accomplishments; Brent (Judy) Loutit, P.ENG McMaster U., now living in St. Albert AB, her grandson Barry Loutit, BSC and Law Degree, U of Alberta, of Edmonton, AB. Brent’s parents were his biggest cheerleaders for Brent’s many competitive golf achievements. In their younger years, parties never ended while Percy played the piano. The wonderful McGuire family were a big part of their lives, and their love and care were cherished.
Lila was a very determined, petite, slim, ever-stylish, smiling and gracious lady. She had a real touch for creating beauty in decorating, displays, and flower arranging. Many people benefitted from her encouraging notes. She enjoyed knitting, shopping, word searches, keeping up with current events, curling and golfing when she was younger and on TV in later life. Tiger Woods was her favorite golfer. She is probably excited he won the Masters again this year! She enjoyed walking long distances. In Hamilton, she made many treks up the long Ancaster Hill. Up to recently, her daily routine was to always make her bed, shower, dress complete with makeup and jewelry, and tidy her apartment. We, loved her dearly, have a lot to live up to.
Lila moved to Edmonton, AB in 2011 to be near her son and his family. She lived in her own one bedroom suite at Terra Losa Lifestyles, although she found too hard to get used to get used to associating with “old” people! She and her family were very blessed and thankful for the wonderful staff and the many amenities there.
We are very sad, but we are assured that she is now pain free and safe in our Lord’s arms. Her faith is attested to by a card in her wallet indicating the date she accepted Jesus as her Savior.
We will be bringing her cremated remains home to be buried beside her beloved husband Percy, at White Chapel Cemetery in Hamilton, across Main St. West from their home of 39 years at Forest Glen Condominiums.
There will be a celebration of Lila’s life at her church of 70+ years; Westdale United Church on June 15, 2019 in Hamilton at 1:30 pm. It is a beautiful old brick building with stained glass windows with a “small but mighty congregation” serving older folks and younger nearby McMaster University students.
Memorial donations in her name gratefully appreciated to keep up their good work; Westdale United Church, 99 Opal N. Hamilton, ON L8S 3Z2, 905-528-4215
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