Obituary of Lily Kirschman

Lily Elizabeth Jensen was born in Calgary on May 19, 1917. She was raised on a farm along with her brother, Robert. When she reached her mid-teens she moved to East Coulee to seek employment. Her reputation of being a hard and willing worker preceded her and she had no trouble finding employment. In the course of time Lily married and had two children, Buddy and Marlane. On February 23, 1952 Lily married a tall, handsome young miner named Jack Kirschman. In 1956 Jack persuaded his new wife and daughter to move to Forestburg so that he could follow the real passion of his life, farming. Lily, who had grown up on a farm, returned to her roots of being a hard working farm wife, milking cows, tending a large garden and being a true farming partner. On July 4, 1959 Lily and Jack were blessed by the birth of their son, Curtis. Lily passed away in the early morning hours of March 13 in the Daysland hospital. She leaves to mourn her loss, her loving husband of sixty-two years, Jack, her daughter Marlane (Manfred) and two daughters-in-law Joan Catonio and Judy Kirschman and seven grandchildren Todd White (Lori) of Kelowna, Richard White (Hope) of Calgary, Jill Tobin (Trevor) of Sherwood Park, Tony Catonio of Langley, Mark Catonio of Langley, Jessica Paterson (Bjorn) of Okotoks and Jennifer Mandell (Chris) of Okotoks. Lily is also survived by twenty-one great grandchildren. Lily was predeceased by two sons Curtis Kirschman and Tony Catonio and one son-in-law Mike White. She was also predeceased by her parents, Nels and Sofia Jensen, her God parents, Anders and Caroline Georgsen and her brother, Robert and sister-in-law Rosalie Georgsen, brother-in-law Bob Kirschman, sister-in-law Irene Fox and Jack's parents, John and Rose Kirschman. She knew what all smart women know: laughter makes you live better and longer.