Lilly Murray

She was born in High River Alberta in 1927 to Swiss immigrants Robert and Frieda Hofmann. Lilly eventually settled with her family in Trail, BC where she spent her childhood with her three brothers and two sisters.

After attending normal school in Victoria, Lilly began her teaching career in a small schoolhouse in Yahk, BC where she met her husband Bruce. In 1956 they moved to Cranbrook, where they raised four children. In 1967, Lilly and her family moved to Prince George where she began a 25 year career teaching elementary school. She made a lasting impact on her students and was proud of the work she did with them. Lilly was a strong advocate for good education and considered it the best insurance policy for a secure future. Lilly herself returned to school in 1968 working on her Bachelors of Education degree, course by course, often attending summer school until she graduated with her degree from the University of Victoria in 1985.

She was an avid gardener and loved being in nature. She instilled this love of nature in her children. She was a highly skilled seamstress, knitter and quilter, taking great pride in her creations. While working on her latest project she would have her favorite cat curled up beside her. Lilly baked the best cinnamon buns and legendary huckleberry pies often climbing through the woods to pick her own huckleberries well into her 80’s. She had an adventurous spirit and actively explored the wilderness, both physically and through books. In doing so she became a wealth of knowledge on the history and geography of BC. Her quiet presence filled the room. She was gracious, smart and fiercely independent.

Lilly was predeceased by her parents; her brothers; her sisters as well as her grandson Andrew who passed away in 1988. She leaves to mourn her four children Robert (Marilyn), Douglas (Ellen), Joan Williams (Paul), and Carol Tyre Desilets (Christian); ten grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren.

A private family gathering will be held at this time followed by interment of her ashes in Trail, BC this summer.

The family would like to thank the staff at Rainbow Lodge for their kind and excellent care as well as Dr Serwa.

Please, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to BC Children’s hospital in Lilly’s name or buy a book and read it to a child.