Irene Lillian Powers (nee Rustad)

On December 12, 2008, Irene Lillian Powers - Lil - passed away peacefully at Kamloops Seniors' Village where she had resided since October of 2008.

Lil is survived by her daughter, Heather Mewhort, sons, Garth, Malcolm and John Powers, grandchildren Matthew, Amy, Rebecca, Brad, Anna, Kent, Curtis, Megan, Nicole, and Steven, and great-grandsons, Kyle and Cameron, sister, Martha Groat of Toronto, sister-in-law, Barbara Newby of Prince George, and numerous nieces and nephews. Lil's family has a special appreciation for the spouses that adopted her as their own鈥擝ill, Marie, and Traci.

Lil was pre-deceased by her husband, John, five brothers, and one sister.

Born on March 30, 1922, in Rose Valley, Saskatchewan, to a Norwegian father, Martin, and a Swedish mother, Anna, Lil grew up on the family farm with seven siblings. As a young woman, she studied hairdressing, but she felt that she should serve her country during the Second World War. Lil enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and trained to become a chef. While working on the base in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she met a young recruit, John, and they married on October 4th, 1945.

A busy life followed for Lil, raising four children and supporting a very community-minded husband. John's employment took them to the large cities of Toronto and Ottawa, to small cities such as Prince George and 亚洲天堂 Lake, and to villages like Dunkley and Kitwanga. Lil was always by John's side as his helpmate. She was also a member of the United Church, the Eastern Star, the Sons of Norway, a Cub Leader, and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for fifty-five years. Lil was proud of the fact that she worked as a commissionaire in Ottawa.

A responsible daughter, a wonderful and faithful wife, a caring mother and grandmother, a loving sister and auntie, a gifted cook and baker, a talented Bridge and Crib player, a beautiful knitter and crocheter, and a skillful gardener, as well as a compassionate friend, Lil will not soon be forgotten by all those who were fortunate to know her.

Lil's family would like to express their deep appreciation to her long-time physician, Dr. Boughton, to the Ponderosa staff for taking such good care of Lil for two years before her move, and to the KSV staff since.

Lil requested a small memorial service with her immediate family. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service, Kamloops, BC. Lil will be laid to rest beside her husband, John, in the Veterans' Section of the Hillside Cemetery.

On-line condolences may be expressed at www.schoenings.com In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lil's name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

You will always be with us, Mom!