LILLIAN MAY TURTLE (BURKE)

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LILLIAN MAY TURTLE (nee BURKE) It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Lillian Turtle at the age of 97. Lillian passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on November 25, 2017. Lillian's life was one of hardship and struggle but also of kindness, laughter, and an immeasurable love for her family. She was an avid storyteller and enjoyed sharing stories from her early years on the farm, going to school and playing with her siblings. Born in a small town in Saskatchewan on December 4, 1919 Lillian was no stranger to adversity. After losing her mother at the age of three years old, she stayed in a foster home with her six siblings as her father struggled to find work. She was then sent to live with her grandparents on their farm where she learned the value of hard work. She overcame poverty during the Great Depression, and raised her six children on her own as a single mother in the 1950s. Lillian married her dear husband Ernie Turtle and enjoyed over 50 years together. Lillian held her family close to her heart. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings, her husband Ernie, her son-in-law Leon, and her daughter Gail. She is survived by her children Marilyn, Maureen (Art), Darlene (Harry), Sandy and Jimmy (Ana); grandchildren Aaron (Debbie), Jeremy (Shauna), Stacey, Christie (Shayne), Michael (Nicki) and Joyce (Jeric); her 11 great-grandchildren Ashleigh, Destiny, Dustin, Hayley, Dylan, Levi, Rya, Tyson, Mya, Oakley and Isaac; and dear friend Linda. Her family has fond memories of the gatherings at her and Ernie's home on Chippawa Bay and swimming in their indoor pool. They later moved to Gimli where her family will always remember going on boat rides and fishing in the lake on the edge of their dock. Words cannot explain how loved Lillian was and how deeply missed she will be. She was an amazing, strong, caring, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will forever be in our hearts. The family would like to thank the staff at the Palliative Care Unit at Riverview for their compassion and support during this time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Palliative Care Unit at Riverview Health Centre, 1 Morley Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3L 2P4, phone (204) 452-3411. E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors 204-253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 02, 2017