Lucille Marie Cownden (Lawless)

It is with sadness we announce the passing of Lucille Marie Cownden (Lawless), who died peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday May 24, 2011 in Victoria at the age of 91. She is predeceased by her parents, Jack and Constance Lawless, husband Arthur Anthony Cownden, sister Lois Shandley, daughter Lucille Fagan, son in law Brian Fagan, and great-grandson Noah Cownden. She is survived by many children and grandchildren: Ceil’s children Neil (Trish), Brian-Pat (Jen), Shawna, Moragh (Paul) and Michael; Connie McKenzie – Stephen (Anna), Theresa (Dave) and Collin (Sarah); Adrian – Frances, Tanya (Jason), Michael, Haley, Chelsea and Andrew; Shaun (Victoria/Fig) – Daniel (Bronwyn), Claire and Andrea; Bruce (Ronalyn) – Jennifer (Scott) and Kimberley; David (Catherine) – Christopher (Kelly); Martin (Herdis) – Helena (Luke) and Carin; Brian; Michael (Alison) – Liane (Jason), Scott (Jenn), Tracie and Stephanie; Kevin (Lori) – Bradley, Alex, Matt and Jon; and Yvonne Sundby (Craig) – Crystal (Chris), Emily and Anthony. Lucille is also survived by 24 great-grandchildren: Ethan, Ava, Olivia, Isabella, James, Joseph, Marisa, Brandon, Danika, Margaret, Elizabeth, Joshua, Mary, Lucy, Samuel, Ashleigh, Zachary, Malcolm, Aleks, Robyn, Dustin, Joshua, Morgan and Charles. She is also survived by her siblings, Mavis Cownden (Walter), Velma Wilson, Dr. David Lawless and Brian Lawless (Eileen), and many other extended family members and friends.

Lucille was born in Ottawa on September 23, 1919 and moved to Victoria as a child. She attended Willows Elementary and Oak Bay High School. She lived in Victoria for most of her life. Art, her husband of nearly 50 years, passed away in 1990. Her first job was working at the lunch counter at Kresge’s. At Yarrows shipyards during the war years, she was a true “Rosie the Riveter” who also designed and installed electrical circuits on navy ships. Lucille, a devout Roman Catholic, was an active member of St. Patrick’s Parish and long time member and president of its Catholic Women’s League. She also served on the executive of St. Joseph’s Hospital Women’s Auxiliary for many years. She was a landscape artist and an accomplished porcelain painter even into her senior years. She enjoyed swimming, badminton, music and gardening, but her greatest love was her family. She was known to look around her with pleasure at large family gatherings and exclaim: “All these wonderful, wonderful people, and they all belong to me!” Her graciousness, her smile, her enthusiasm for life, and her unconditional love have comforted and inspired so many of us. She loved everyone she met and was loved in return.

There will be prayers at MCCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, 1400 Vancouver St., at 3:00 pm on Sunday May 29th. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH, 2060 Haultain St., at 11:00 am on Monday May 30th; interment service to follow at ROYAL OAK BURIAL PARK; everyone welcome. The family would like to extend sincerest thanks to all of those who cared for Lucille, especially during her stay at Glenwarren. We would also like to acknowledge the continued support of lifelong family friend, Grant McNeil. In honour of Lucille, donations can be made to St. Patrick’s School, 2368 Trent Street, Victoria, BC V8R 4Z3. Condolences may be offered at www.mccallbros.com

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