Lillian Francis Sercombe

Lillian Frances Sercombe, late of Swan River, and formerly of Bowsman, Manitoba, passed away in the Swan Valley Personal Care Home on Monday, June 8th, 2015. She was 94 years of age.

The daughter of the late Hilliard and Gudrun Donaldson, Lillian was born in Bowsman on Janauary 1st, 1921. She attended the McKay School and later as a young woman, worked for the Ben Moss Jewellers family in Winnipeg. She was also employed in the Company Hospital in Flin Flon, Manitoba for a short period of time, before moving back to her parent’s farm east of Bowsman. On June 23rd, 1949, at St. James Anglican Church in Swan River, she married Ralph Herbert Sercombe, “the boy next door”, except that he was the boy who lived “across the road”.

For the next 50 years, Lillian and Ralph ran a mixed farming operation and horse enterprise. She worked alongside her husband, feeding and caring for the animals and milking cows. Each year she also planted a large garden, the produce from which she canned and preserved for the coming winter. Despite her busy days, Lillian always had the coffee pot on for friends and neighbours who should happen to drop in for a visit. An accomplished seamstress, she not only sewed for her own family but for clients who sought out her expertise with a needle. She was a lifelong member of the Women’s Institute and a valued member of the Anglican Church Women.

Lillian and Ralph were blessed with two children, son Marlin and daughter Audrey. Her love of her children and her pets were ever evident. When Audrey’s pet duck Ditto had her leg broken when a horse stepped on her, Lillian gently took her into the house, bound up the leg and helped young Audrey care for her little duck until it had healed.

Her grandchildren, Marlaina and Shane adored their grandmother and the precious time they spent with her will remain one of their fondest memories. The family farm was the summer meeting place for the grandchildren and all the cousins as their families came home to visit. Lillian was the glue that held this rambunctious gathering together, keeping everyone fed, entertained and happy.

When Ralph passed away in 2000, Lillian left her home of a half of a century, and moved to Swan River. She remained active, joining Curves, walking her dog, and gardening on her deck. Her visits with her two sisters and their shopping trips to Minot, ND were especially meaningful. She never could pass a shoe store and never came home without a “new purse”.

During her last few years, when declining health confined her to her house, her constant companions were her dog Chuckie and her cat Monty. She would sit for hours with the cat on her lap and the dog at her feet. As long as they were near her, she was content.

Lillian was predeceased by her parents; her husband Ralph; brother Melvin; sister June and brothers-in-law Oliver Anderson and John Rosenthal.

Left to deeply mourn her passing are her son Marlin (Ricia); daughter Audrey (George); beloved grandchildren Shane (Liz) and Marlaina (James); brother Chester (Marion); sister Fern and her sister-in-law Claire.