On December 21, 2015, Lillian Evelyn Emily Potts, late of Sherbrooke Community Centre, formerly of Shellbrook, passed away at the age of 84. Lillian was born on February 17, 1931 in Shellbrook, SK, to William and Doris Stephens. Lil attended school in the Pleasantville District and then attended high school in Shellbrook.  There was always plenty of chores on the family farm that Lillian helped with, milking cows, feeding the chickens and pigs to name just a few. She gained her love of flowers and gardening from helping her mother in the large family garden. 

Another of Lillian’s passions was curling. She learned to curl in high school where they won the North Eastern School Championship in 1948. Lillian went on to meet the love of her life Thomas Potts, and on June 26, 1951 they were married. They moved to the Potts farm in Rich Valley District north of Shellbrook.  Lil and Tom had their three daughters, Shirley, Sandra and Shelley while living on the Potts homestead but space became scarce in a one-bedroom house so they moved to the Moore farm where they lived until they retired to Shellbrook in 1997. Their daughters were baptized in 1962 which started Lillian’s affiliation with St. Andrews Anglican Church’s first as Sunday School teacher,  then as a member of the Church choir and the ACW. Lillian was also involved with the Order of the Eastern Star, which was an organization for the wives of Masonic members. She held various points of the Star and became the Worthy Matron for 1970-1971.

Lil worked hard on the farm growing a large garden to help feed the family, along with the yardwork, housework, and cooking. She didn’t stop at this; she also helped rake hay, haul bales, harrow, haul grain and operated the combine. She wouldn’t sit idle for long, filling in any spare time sewing, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, needlepoint, tatting, and finally hooking rugs.  In 1963 Tom and Lillian bought a shack tent at Waskesiu Lake which was upgraded to a portable cabin in 1968. This also led to the purchase of a boat and many summers spent fishing, relaxing on the beach, and enjoying park activities like roller skating and walking to Kingsmere Lake. 

Tom and Lil also enjoyed travelling to places like,  Montreal, Spain, Morocco, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, England, Scotland, Europe, Alaska, Nashville, Branson, Las Vegas and Hawaii.  In 1982 they purchased a mobile home in North Phoenix, and went on to enjoy spending their winters there for 16 years, making new friends and relaxing.

As Tom’s health became worse, Lil did everything she could to care for him until his passing in 2011. She continued to live on her own for another three years until her health began to fail, and she entered assisted living at Keedwell Assisted Living, and then Sherbrooke Community Centre until her passing.

Lillian is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Shirley (Ron) Osarchuk; Sandra (John) Stochmanski; and Shelley Crawford (Louis Perrin); her grandchildren, Jonathan Stochmanski; Joylynn Stochmanski and her daughter, Shawna; Shari Crawford; and Evan Crawford; as well as numerous nieces, and nephews. Lillian was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Potts; her parents, William and Doris Stephens; and her brother, Leo Stephens.

The Funeral Service for Lillian was held on December 29, 2015 at 11:00 am from the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Shellbrook with Bishop Tom Morgan officiating. Lillian was laid to rest with her husband Thomas in Prince Albert Memorial Gardens. In lieu of tributes, memorial donations may be made in memory of Lillian to either the St. Andrews Anglican Church or to the Alzheimer’s Society. Family and friends wishing to send private online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Tammy Smart – Director (Shellbrook 306-747-2828).  

• Date : 2015-12-21
• Location : Saskatoon, SK