Lilly Szpendyk

Lilly (Lilli) Szpendyk passed away Monday, June 20th, 2022 at the Chinook Regional Hospital with family at her side.

Of German descent, Lilly was born in Manubjewka, Romania on October 3rd, 1933.

Lilly is survived by her loving daughters Corinne Richardson, Mary Parker, Julie Reron (Henry), Nadine Szpendyk (Darin), Teresa Szpendyk (Bill); her many grandchildren; great grandchildren and great-great grandchild. She loved the kids and their visits with all her heart.  She is also survived by her sisters and brother in Germany; Erika, Hannelore and Siegfried, as well as many nieces and nephews here and abroad.

Lilly is predeceased by her husband Mykola Szpendyk (m. 1954), her mother, father, a sister, brother, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sisters in-law, brothers in-law and two nephews.

She immigrated to Canada in May of 1953 and worked in the Sugar Beet fields in Raymond, Alberta, where she and Mykola raised their family, until moving to Lethbridge. Lilly even had her daughters work the beet fields one summer to learn what hard work is and the value of an education.

Lilly was an amazing cook and loved feeding people. Food was something to share and celebrate. Living through World War II, she knew what hunger was, and no one went hungry around her. She worked as a cook for many years; from the Raymond “Old Folks Home” to the Army and Navy Club, to the Lethbridge Correctional Centre.

She fished, crocheted and created cheerful crafts until she found her mobility limited.  Even as the pain of arthritis increased, she continued to lovingly crochet gifts for family and friends; and blankets for the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery at the Chinook Regional Hospital.

Her life was well lived.  She made the best of the bad times and appreciated all the good times.  She will be remembered for her laugh, her smile, strength, warmth and thoughtfulness. She never missed a birthday.

She was forever grateful to the Baker family in Raymond who took her in on their farm and showed her great kindness in her first year in Canada.

Many thanks to the Caregivers at West Highlands Good Samaritans where our mother lived for the past year. And many thanks to the Doctors and Nurses on the 4th floor of the Chinook Regional Hospital for their exceptional care and kindness in her final days.

We thank you for thoughts and prayers at this time. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice. Lilly lived a life thinking of others first. 

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Monday, June 27, 2022, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta. Interment to be held at the Temple Hill Cemetery, Raymond, Alberta.

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