Obituary of Lillian Rachel Lockhart

It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, sister, auntie and friend, on Sunday, July 28, 2024. Lillian passed peacefully surrounded by her family in Winnipeg at the age of 70.

Lillian was born in Port Arthur, Ontario, on October 1st, 1953 and was the second daughter born to John and Eva Ahtila. Along with her family, she spent her early years living on Kuusisto Road while attending MacDonald School, a one room school. In 1966, when she was 13, the family moved to the Sipila property on Silver Falls Road.

She attended Hammarskjold High School, where she forged some very special lifelong friendships. Soon she met David Spencer, and together, they brought Rhonda into the world in 1972 and Terry followed in 1973.

In 1975, Lillian and her two young children made the move to Edmonton. When she arrived in Alberta, Lillian worked for The City of Edmonton Water & Sanitation as a draftsperson. In around 1980, Lillian moved north of Edmonton to a rural community where she met the Stahn family and Lloyd Lockhart, who she married in 1982.  Lloyd, Lillian, Rhonda, Terry and Gregg (Lloyd’s son) spent their summers camping with family friends, fishing, gardening, playing cards, quadding, horseback riding and swimming across the road at Half Moon Lake.

In 1989 she took a transfer with the company she worked for, JM Schneiders, to Winnipeg so she could be closer to home. In 1991, at the age of 38 and while working midnights full time, she began studying Social Work at the University of Manitoba. As a social worker, she greatly impacted and inspired those around her with her compassion, sense of humour and her ability see the gifts in others. She worked in this field for more than 25 years, many years for child and family services as an intake worker and some fostering teen girls on her farm who needed stability and someone to care. Lillian retired at the age of  65 and hosted an incredible barn party to mark the event. To follow, in 2021 she sold the farm and moved into the city to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

Two winters ago, she made her first trip to Yuma, Arizona - where she wasted no time making dear friends at Orchid Gardens, a senior living community where she planned to spend many winters golfing, hiking, playing cards and pickleball while growing old with her new friends.

Soon after Lillian arrived home from Yuma this April, she began to experience mobility issues and from there, her cancer journey began. She remained optimistic that time would be on her side for a while, and continued to plan what she would do next.  Six weeks after her diagnosis, Lillian passed peacefully at 6:50 am on July 28, 2024 at Health Science Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba. She will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Lillian was predeceased by her parents Eva and John; brothers Dave and Harold; nephews Robert and James. She is survived by her daughter Rhonda (Rick), son Terry; her six grandchildren: Drew, Harmony, Seanna, Olivia, Floris and Sammy/Atlas; Sisters Anita (Brian) and Helen; nephews Kevin (Trish), Tyson (Lex) and nieces Christine (Matt), Caroline, Shayleen (Frank) and their children, Lil’s great-nephews and nieces. Lillian’s beloved dog, Chloe and siamese cat, Sally will also miss cuddles with her.

An Open House will be held on Saturday, August 3 at Rhonda’s home in Winnipeg from 11am-3pm.

She will be laid to rest at Dog River Cemetery, Kaministiquia on Sunday, August 11 at 11:00 am. To follow (1:00) family and friends are invited to the Kam Hall.

We hope each of these events will give everyone the opportunity to share stories and laughs in celebration of Lillian’s wonderful life.