Obituary of Lillian Clara Wilson

March 3, 1924 – Hussar, Alberta

October 17, 2015 – Calgary, Alberta

Lillian Wilson passed away in Calgary on October 17 at the age of 91 years. She had a vivacious personality and always lived life to the fullest.

Lillian was born on a farm near Hussar, Alberta. In 1939 she moved with her parents to Calgary so that she could attend high school and graduated from Crescent Heights School. She then met Frank Wilson, who was in the Royal Canadian Air Force stationed at Number 10 Repair Depot, and they married in 1942. Lillian and Frank lived in Mossbank, Red Deer, and Penhold, and finally settled in Calgary.

Lillian’s love of music began as a young girl when she started music lessons at the age of 10. Her parents always had a piano and she soon learned to chord and play all the songs she heard on the gramophone or radio. She loved Old Time, Western, and Big Band Music, and learned to play and sing all of Wilf Carter’s songs at an early age. After her children were raised she formed her own band called ‘The Entertainers’. Lillian also had a love of dancing and later formed a dance troupe called Calgary’s Golden Girls, a seniors variety group. She volunteered for more than 40 years – playing, singing, and dancing at the Seniors Games, Jubilee Auditorium, Senior Showcase, Calgary Stampede Senior Day, Stage West, Seniors Clubs, Nursing Homes, Up With Seniors Follies Extravaganza, and many other venues. Lillian received many citations and awards for her thousands of hours of volunteering. She was also a member of Memory Lane Fashions – making all of her own costumes, dresses, and hats. In 1989 she was crowned as the Heritage Belle of the Calgary Stampede.

Lillian had many other hobbies. She had an extensive doll collection, taught ceramic and porcelain doll making, and was a current member of the Calgary Doll Club and the Ladies Auxillary Legion 285. She loved photography – her house was full of pictures of family, friends, and her faithful companions Panda and Mink.

She loved gardening and spent much of her time outdoors in her yard, especially in the spring and summer.

Lillian is survived by three children – Cheryl Genert (Stan), Melody MacMillan (Kevin), and Terry Wilson; four grandchildren – Pamella Genert, Gregory Genert (Shelise), and Brittney MacMillan (Mandy), and Trevor MacMillan; and two great-grandchildren – Sawyer and Hudson Genert.

She was pre-deceased by her parents Clarence and Louise Harmer, her sister Frances, and her husband of 56 years Frank Wilson.

Celebration of Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Friday, October 23, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. A special thanks to all the Doctors and Nursing Staff at the South Health Campus. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966 or the charity of your choice.

In living memory of Lillian Willson, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: 403-256-9575.