LILL PATERSON
1917 - 2014
Lillian Antoinette Paterson (nee Doyle), beloved wife of the late Robert C. Paterson, passed away in Taber on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the age of 97 years. Her final days were spent in the loving presence of her family.
Relatives and friends were invited to Prayers at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Sunday, July 6, 2014 at 4:00 P.M.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Monday, July 7, 2014 at 11:30 A.M. with Reverend Roque Pereira, Celebrant. A private burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Lillian is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law Linda and Frank Machacek of Taber and daughter-in-law Marg (Dave) McCulloch of Barnwell. She is also survived by her grandchildren Brenda (Wayne) Cornelsen, Nick (Stephanie) Czibere, Norm (Kathy) Czibere, Dave (Stacey) Czibere, Jackie (Bernie) Bonette, Dan Paterson, Blaine (Lynn) Paterson, Tara McCulloch, Annette Wolfer and Patrick (Angela) Machacek. She was a proud great grandmother to Lesley (Justin) Egger and Lauren Cornelsen; Hayley (Cam) Feyter and Nicholas (Chelsea) Czibere; Mitch, Graham and Abby Czibere; Emily, Connor, Sydney and Madison Czibere; Ren, Kallee and Cole Bonette; Lindsay Paterson; Jesse (Crystal) and Valerica Wolfer; Peyton and Hannah Machacek. She was also blessed with great great grandchildren Nico and Summer Czibere and Joshua Wolfer.
Lillian was predeceased by her husband Robert C (Bob) Paterson, son Bill Paterson, daughter and son-in-law Sharon and Nick Czibere and grandson Murray Wolfer. She was also predeceased by her sisters and brothers-in-law Mary (Milfort) Grice and Mildred (Harry) Malchow; brothers and sisters-in-law Larry (Dagmar) Doyle, Lewis (Kay) Doyle and Robert (Cosie) Doyle.
Lillian was born in St. Peter's Bay, Prince Edward Island on February 28, 1917, the youngest of the six children of George and Minnie Doyle. Her family moved from Prince Edward Island in 1921 to Vulcan, and finally settled in Stavely in 1924, where her father had a blacksmith shop. Lillian lost her mother on Christmas Day, 1930 and her father the following September. The Doyle children stayed together following the loss of their parents, surviving the hard times of the Depression with love, laughter and typical Irish grit. Lillian soon became the family cook (an expert at meat pies!), while her siblings worked outside the home.
In the early summer of 1937, Lillian met a handsome young man with a spiffy black Ford. Her fate was sealed. She married Bob on October 11, 1937. In 1940, they moved to Taber, where they raised their three children, Sharon, Bill and Linda. Their store, Pat's Groceteria, was a fixture on main street for many, many years.
Those were wonderful years. There always seemed to be enough time...to make a decent living...to raise a loving family...to help build your community...to gather regularly in the company of good friends. Bob and Lill loved to dance and they attended every possible community dance, where Lill was always radiant and dressed "to the nines". While they enjoyed an active social life, they also treasured quiet times spent camping and fishing together in beautiful Southern Alberta. Lill and Bob loved each other deeply and they loved their life in Taber.
But, more than anything, Lill loved to cook for her people...her family and friends. Golden memories of holiday dinners, outdoor barbeques and birthday parties remain with all of us. Lill ensured that EVERY occasion was celebrated with her fabulous food, lots of laughter, a few games of cards and maybe a wee drink or two! While she loved cooking, she absolutely adored baking. Our birthdays and family celebrations always included a special cake (maybe Black Forest!), duly decorated and presented with love. Her lemon meringue pies, peach pies, angel food cakes, chiffon cakes, pineapple squares and air buns were legendary. She supplied all of her family with her amazing Hot Cross Buns every Easter until she was well into her 90's!
We will miss her wonderful meals and baking. We will miss the lilt of her Irish laughter. We will miss her smiling Irish eyes...as they stole our hearts away.
And so, dear one, until we meet again.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Lillian's name may be made directly to either the Clearview Lodge, 4730 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N6 or Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9.