Minnie BROWNLIE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

BROWNLIE: Minnie Lillian (Lil) Brownlie, nee Hatch, passed away December 21, 2016. Lil was born on the family farm in Oak Lake on September 4, 1911, the 5th of 7 siblings. Nothing was more important to her than family: her Hatch siblings, her own children and grandchildren, her nieces and nephews. She celebrated and supported all their accomplishments, prized their learning, reveled in their music, and was the loudest cheerer at each of their athletic events. She was a people person who thrived on interactions with others. Lillian attended Normal School in Brandon and taught in the rural schools of Oakview, Routledge, Haggard, Northfield and Harding before moving to teach in Brandon, Winnipeg, Chatham, New Brunswick, and finally in Virden – a total of 28 years. She loved teaching and was committed to excellence for all her students in academics, in sport, and in Festival folk dancing. In 1945 Lillian married Bill Brownlie of Virden. Bill continued as a serviceman in the Royal Canadian Air Force after WW11. This took them to live in Rivers, Winnipeg, New Brunswick, England and France. Together they loved this adventurous living and explored widely while they lived away. Upon completion of Bill’s years of service, they returned home to Virden, built a home that she treasured on the park, and thoroughly enjoyed small town living - lawn bowling, bridge, water colour painting, her garden, travel, her friends and neighbours, and her work with St. Paul’s United Church. Upon Bill’s death in 2001, Lillian moved to Riverheights Terrace in Brandon (to be closer to her grandchildren) and was an active participant in life there for 11 years, regaling all with stories of her experiences, her family, and words of wisdom on life in general. She thrived on the opportunity to shop regularly, to join in the games and cards, and especially the regular evening musical events. Once the music began to play, her feet began to tap and she was ready to get up and dance. Lillian began losing her sight to macular degeneration in the late 1990’s. Undaunted, she learned coping strategies and presented as independently as possible. On her 100th birthday, she left her cane in the hall and entered the party without it so no one would think she wasn’t able! Shortly after her 101st birthday, Lillian fell in the suite she now shared with her sister, Vi. Her hip was broken. After a miraculously successful surgery, she spent several months in rehabilitation, then was transferred to Dinsdale Personal Care Home. It was here, four years later, that she peacefully passed, surrounded by family and the caring and compassionate staff of Dinsdale. Lillian is known for many mottos, two of which include “Just get up and get going” and “Be the best you can be.” She lived by these mottos and would expect that we would continue to do so after her passing. A lover of life, a model of courage, morality, and strength, Lillian will be sorely missed but will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She is predeceased by her parents, William and Minnie Hatch of Oak Lake, her siblings Wilfred Hatch and wife Nell, of Victoria; Harry Hatch and wife Wynne of Brandon; Charlotte Moody and husband Fred, of Routledge; Irene Motheral and husband Clarence, of Oak Lake, Lloyd Hatch and wife Wilma, of Oak Lake, and brother-in-law, Roy McFarlane of Carberry. Lil is survived by her daughter Faye and husband Kim Young and their son Ryan and daughter Gaby of Vancouver; son Brian and wife Wendy and their sons Richard of Brandon, and Adam of Calgary, and their daughter Amberlee of Brandon; beloved sister, Violet of Carberry, and many nieces and nephews. Services were held at St. Paul's United Church in Virden. Interment took place at Virden Cemetery on December 26, 2016.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 07, 2017