Lily Ann Anderson, 1937-2005

Lily Ann Anderson was born on July 16, 1937 to Albert and Mary Cunningham and passed away on Jan. 7, 2005 at the age of 67 years.

Lily had four sisters: Flora, Doris, Rose and Aline; and seven brothers: George, Howard (Jean), Raymond (Irene), Leonard (Ruth), Michael (Pauline), Ronnie and Larry.

She was predeceased by her father, brother Charles, and sisters Yvonne and Eunice.

Lily married Ralph Anderson and they had three children: Randy, Bonnie and Charmaine. She also leaves behind her grandchildren Hayley, Shelby and Chase; her step grandchildren Danielle, Kody, Dale and Andrew. She loved both her son-in-law David and daughter-in-law Audrey as her own. When saying goodbye to David, she said she loved him and asked him to look after the children and also her kids.

Lily worked hard all her life. She stayed at home while growing up and did outside chores looking after the cows. She and Yvonne used to haul hay no matter what the weather conditions were. She was a very strong person and as a young girl she could take anyone on who challenged her. . .there were not many that would dare try again.

She left home as a young lady and worked in Hay River. When she was living in Grouard she used to babysit for a teacher's family. When they moved to Swan Hills she worked in a restaurant until Charmaine was born. Then they moved to Gift Lake in 1969. She worked at the Hot Lunch Program when it first started and worked there until she moved to High Prairie 20 years ago. She found a job as a cook working at the Youth Assessment Centre until December 1986 when she started work at the nursing home until her retirement in July 2002.

What Lily was most proud of was her children. They were always first in her life from the time they were babies and until the day of her death. Because of them she fought courageously and showed strength throughout her illness, hiding her pain so they couldn't see what a struggle she was going through.

Lily taught her children how to love and because of that they loved her enough to say goodbye and tell her that it was OK to go and be with God.

Lily was a beautiful person both inside and out. She was loved by many people whose lives she brightened with just a hello. She was a good friend who would listen to your joys and sorrows. She was a helping hand and always seemed to say the right things and be there for you when needed. She had a special place in her heart for her numerous nieces and nephews.

Some of Mom's favourite things to do was to pick berries, play cards and dance. In her later years she loved to play bingo with her friends and she loved to cook and bake for her family.

We all know that she was a great Mom and she outshined herself when she became a grandmother. She played with them, was proud of their achievements, watched them in their sporting activities and never missed any special days in their lives. She enjoyed being with her grandchildren and they adored her. Hayley couldn't say "Kookum" when she was young and she started calling her "Home" which is what they all call her now. Isn't that appropriate? For in the lives of her children and grandchildren, family and friends, being with her was like 'being at home', comfortable, loved and well cared for.

Her children say they learned a lot from her, to work hard and be proud of their accomplishments. To be kind to others and not to be quick to judge, to be there for each other and most of all to love each other and have faith in God.

Heaven will never be the same now that Lily is there. Now she is able to spread the joy she did on earth among her family and friends up in heaven. And maybe as we speak she's dabbing some bingo cards with Eunice and Yvonne.

For those she left behind let's not live with sadness but with joy in our hearts for we were lucky to have known Lily, to have learned from her and to have been loved by her. We are all blessed and profoundly touched by her and we prayed for a miracle not realizing that we had our miracle for 67 years.

Thank you, God, for lending her to us.