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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Christine McLaughlin
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Alex and Marian Piercy We send our deepest symathies to all the family. Lucille was a lovely woman and worked so hard for family and church. We will all miss her. Alex and Marian Piercy
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Jean Johnson Our family lived next door to Lucille and her family many years ago, but her friendliness and hospitality still remain part of our neighbourhood memories from Monterey Street.
Our thoughts are with her family at this sorrowful time,
With sincere regards,
Jean and Brian Johnson and family
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Leah Ramsay Claire;
Huge hug; I thinking of you at this time.
Leah
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de Groot Family Cownden Family
91 years is pretty amazing!
Look what she left behind for all of us, all of you!!We hope you find strength and comfort in each other at this challenging time.
“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure” unknown author
Cori, Maurice, Frank, Nick and Sam
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Maureen Holley I am so sorry to hear of Auntie Lucille’s passing. She was such a special lady and will be remembered for her joyfullness and generosity. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.
With much love , Maureen (Holley)
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Franzi & Family Our condolences come from Germany.
Our thoughts are with YOU!!
Sabine, Alfred, Franzi and Flo
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Rosemary Holley I am so sorrry to hear of your mother’s passing. Auntie Lucille was loved by all of the Holley cousins and will remain in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time and forever after. It was always such an adventure to visit your Cownden home- all the way from Nanaimo to Victoria we would try to remember the names of the multiple cousins; but when we got there it really didn’t matter if we remembered after all, because we were welcomed with such love by Lucille that it felt like home. Her soul will be sorely missed on earth, but welcomed joyfully into Heaven.
I will be praying for Lucille and all of you. Love Rosemary (Holley)
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Joseph & Christine Gilgunn Dear Shaun & Victoria: Our thoughts are with you and your loved ones. May your time of fellowship and sharing fond memories of Lucille’s life bring comfort. Chris & Joe
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Mary Ellen & Leo Nana was a very beautifull & gracious lady with a warm and loving heart.I was very honoured to have known and spent time with her.Nana will be sadly missed but the fond memories she leaves behind will never be forgotten.Our prayers are with you all during your time of sorrow…
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Gillian Fuller I just wanted to, pass my condolences on to, Adrian – Frances & Family & Martin & Family & The Whole of the Cownden Family,
I’m ever so sorry for the huge loss you all have, of your Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister & Brother.
It will be a big loss, losing her for all of you but, just remember all the wonderful memories, you each shared with her, through her lifetime. And she will always be with, each one of you in, Spirit & in your Hearts, Forever.
All of you are in My Thoughts & Prayers during this very sad time, Take Special Care.
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Ed Bateman and family we are all saddened by the loss of Mrs.Cownden..I gtot to know her through having her boys on paper routes in the Oak Bay area a long time back, she was a very nice and gratious lady and always a pleasent smile even that early in the mornings, I’m sure she will be greatly missed by all.
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Barbara Ford Dear Shawn and Fig,
What a massive close-knit family – I now have an even clearer picture of what those family get-togethers must have been like. It turns out that your mom and mine were born on the same day and volunteered for similar organizations.
I am sorry for your loss. Your mom leaves so many people behind to miss her though thankfully, just as many to support and console one another.
My sympathies to you and all who loved Lucille.
Barbara
x0x
(Montreal, QC)
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Heidi Tonn Dear Claire,
I am so sad to hear that your grandmother passed away, I know how important she was to you. But, in reading about her, I see that she will live on in the hearts of her large family. My thoughts are with you at the sad time. Best regards from Heidi
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Laurie & Julie Gordon Please accept our condolences on the passing of your mother/(great)grandmother, Lucille Cownden. She was a very special woman and will be missed by so many.
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Deanne Paulson On behalf of the staff and students of St. Patrick’s School, I would like to express my sympathy for the family of Lucille Cownden. I have had the pleasure of getting to know many of Lucille’s family members, both at St. Pat’s and at St. Andrew’s High and I am very grateful for the family’s support of Catholic education.
You have been blessed with a wonderful, faith-filled role model who has really left her mark in the Catholic community.
“An angel is always near to the grieving to whisper that your loved one is safe in the hands of God”.
God bless,
Deanne Paulson
Principal, St. Patrick’s School
Lucille was such a lovely person. We had a good time working together at the Used Clothing sorting and selling at St. Patrick’s School. I am so sorry I wasn’t able to attend her service today. I am the same age as her so it is difficult to get out now.
She will not be forgotten.
Chris McLaughlin