February 9, 2021
Mrs. Lily D. Swanson passed away peacefully in Prince Rupert on February 9, 2021 with her family by her side. She was born in Kinuso, Alberta in 1929. She had six siblings, 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Her father, Donald, owned a general store in the community. Her mother, Julie, sadly passed away in 1933. Her aunt, Philomene Gladue, helped to raise the family while her father minded their store.
Lily met her future husband, Arthur, at a local dance in Faust, Alberta and it was love at first sight. Arthur was a dashing young soldier, just returning from overseas Army Service in WW2. They married in 1947 and decided to build their new lives together and move to the West Coast where many of their friends were already living.
Lily's father had resettled to Prince Rupert. In 1949 along with their two young daughters Diane and Shirley, the family travelled by train to Prince Rupert. By 1963, Arthur and Lily now had a bustling family of 10 children to raise. Seven daughters and three sons, most of whom spent many years in Prince Rupert raising their own families. The family moved to Port Edward in 1966.
Arthur passed away in 2004 and Lily briefly moved to Kelowna. She became homesick and returned to Prince Rupert which she felt was her true home. Art & Lily were blessed with 22 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and numerous great-great grandchildren. They were the proud patriarch and matriarch of one of the largest families in Prince Rupert.
Lily loved gospel and the live country music played by her siblings. Art & Lily often visited extended family in Alberta and attended the annual Christian pilgrimages at Lac Ste. Anne, near Edmonton. They would also spend their summers with their children's families in Kelowna and Victoria.
Lily was a deeply devoted Christian and we take great comfort that she is now reunited in heaven with her loving husband, Arthur, daughter Teresa Andreesen and son, Kenny.
Lily is survived by her daughters Diane Kiesman, Shirley (Larry) Michiel, Judy (Jim) O'Brien, Debra (Rick) Wampler, Brenda (Carl) Stace-Smith, Wendy (Ralph) Andreesen, sons Allan and Shane. She is also survived by her eldest sister Edna Sinclair of Edmonton and youngest sister Justine (Gord) Stenset of Smithers, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
While we are deeply saddened by her loss, her legacy will live on in each and every one of us as we pass on her memories to future generations. Our family sincerely thanks the staff at the Acropolis Manor for their dedicated support over the past few years. The family will hold a private burial at Fairview Cemetery. Once public gatherings are permitted, a notification of the funeral service and celebration of life will follow.
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).