Lillian Knapik
Remembered
Lillian Knapik was born on September 17, 1924 in Cereal, Alberta. She was the baby sister to Leo, Percy, Isabel, Rita and Doris. Her Dad had been a police constable in Edmonton before moving to southern Alberta to farm in the Cappon area. Lillian attended school in Cappon and later worked at the Drumheller hospital. She also worked for a time at Lou Niwa's farm, where she met a handsome young man named Stan, from the farm down the road.
Lillian and Stan married in 1946 and lived at the Knapik homestead. While there, her mother-in-law made sure that the new Irish bride could cook all the Polish specialties -- perogies, bread, donuts and all of Stan's favorites. Soon after, Stan and Lillian moved to Acadia Valley and began their own family.
In 1947 a son, Leonard, was born to Stan and Lillian. Jerry followed in 1950 and their family was complete. Though Lillian was busy with a husband and two little boys to care for, she remained active in the Acadia Valley community. She was a member of the CWL, the community club, and she was an avid curler. She also enjoyed going fishing, playing cards, and tending her garden. Everyone will remember her beautiful flower beds which she kept even when water was scarce and had to be hauled for miles.
Stan and Lillian farmed land outside of Acadia Valley and Lillian participated in many of the farming duties. Hot meals were always ready on time and often delivered to Stan and the hired man in the fields. Lillian was a great cook and loved to prepare meals for large groups of people. She was always ready to try new recipes, and then share them with her friends. She kept an immaculate house and loved to decorate it with beautiful things.
In 1977, Stan and Lillian retired and moved to Medicine Hat. They remained active travelling and Lillian thoroughly enjoyed decorating their home. While in The Hat, Lillian decided to take a position at D'Allairds Dress Shop in Medicine Hat Mall. With her love of clothing and her special knack of finding the perfect outfit for any occasion she was very successful at her work. She made many friends and, of course, acquired many additions to her own wardrobe.
People were the most important thing in Lillian's life. She had the special quality of finding the good in everyone. She knew she could relate to both the young and the old, and carried with her a love of life that was contagious. For these reasons she kept numerous long-lasting friendships and there are many, many people who hold her dear to their hearts.
Stan passed away in 1985 after a long illness. With the support of her family and friends, Lillian was able to slowly adjust to a more independent way of life. She came to accept her loss and, in time, her vitality and love of life allowed her to continue with the activities she had always enjoyed. Special friendships encouraged her to live life to the fullest, and to carry on.
Lillian's family were very important to her. She always took special pride in her sons, their wives and her grandchildren. It was a particular joy for her when the family would come home for the holidays, or when her grandchildren would spend a week or two at Grandma's. Grandma always took time to talk and play, and she especially enjoyed spoiling the youngsters. Never did a day go by when her children and grandchildren didn't realize how much she loved them.
In February of 1991 Lillian was diagnosed as terminally ill. After a brief period of time she passed away at the Calgary Foothills Hospital on May 23. Her positive outlook and vitality of spirit will continue to live in everyone she knew. She will be dearly missed by all of us.
Lisa Anderson
May 27, 1991
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