Lögberg-Heimskringla - 22.04.2005, Page 13

Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 22. apríl 2004 »13
Lillian Vilborg MacPherson
(nee Bjarnason)
August 30,1940 - April 3,2005
Lillian died on Sunday, April 3 at
1:07 p.m. with her husband and kids by
her bedside. Mixed with sadness is the
relief that she no longer suffers from
cancer and can now find her way in the
worlds beyond. We trust she will contin-
ue her work from the other side; quietly
helping others on their paths, something
she did so gracefully in the many circles
in which she moved.
Lillian grew up in Winnipeg’s West
End, spending her summers at her
grandparents’ farm near Lundar. She at-
tended Principal Sparling, Sargent Park
and Daniel Mclntyre Schools and later
Regina College.
Lillian was proud of her academic
achievements and was passionate
about learning: a passion she expressed
equally as a diligent student and as a
wise teacher. She attended the Uni-
versity of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon,
where she earned her BA in English and
History (and met her husband and fellow
adventurer of 44 years, Lorne MacPher-
son and brought Arne, her first child into
the world).
Lillian achieved a Masters in Librar-
ianship from the University of Washing-
ton in Seattle in 1966 (and produced her
second little sprout, Erika) and in 1984
she completed an LL.B. at the University
of Calgary. Always eager to learn, she
began a whole new student career and
received a scholarship after her retire-
ment to the University of lceland to study
the language, at which she became pro-
ficient. In later years, which really were
“young” years, she studied and practiced
as a writer and shaman.
In 1968, Lillian moved with her fam-
ily to Edmonton and worked as assistant
Law Librarian and then ultimately Law
Librarian at the University of Alberta for
26 years. Her interest in feminist legal
theory led to co-founding and teaching
the class at the U of A. Additionally, she
acted as Associate Dean of Law and
served in executive capacities for numer-
ous library and professional organiza-
tions. In recognition of her contributions
she was named a builder of the Faculty
of Law in 1999. She moved back to her
birthplace, Winnipeg, in 2000.
In the few years that she had been
back in Winnipeg Lillian created a wide
circle of friends, family and community. In
2003, she received the Queen’s Jubilee
Medal in Manitoba in recognition of her
distinguished service to fellow citizens.
Her earnest nature was both com-
forting and at times formidable; she took
her life seriously. Lillian created a wel-
come aura in her home and her genuine
curiosity and open-heartedness drew
people to her. Her grandchildren were
the very special recipients of that spirit.
Lillian took her granddaughter Gislina
on a trip to lceland, and had planned to
take the other grandkids as they came
of age.
She was passionate about her lce-
landic heritage, something that filtered
into every aspect of her life: as a member
of the Saga Singers; participating in the
activities of the Norðurljós Chapter of the
lcelandic National League; as a “viking
amma”; but most notably through her
work as the editor of the Lögberg-Heim-
skringla. For three years until she was
diagnosed with cancer, Lillian worked
tirelessly to enrich the significance of the
lcelandic weekly newspaper. Her edito-
rials developed a certain cult following
worldwide. She has always said that
“part of her heart lies in lceland.”
It's impossible to encapsulate this
incredible woman. She was fierce and
generous in all she did. Her focus was
on making and maintaining authentic
relationships with others. She was an
avid letter writer and kept correspon-
dence with many people all over the
world. Through her spirit journeying she
created links between the worlds and
helped others connect with aspects of
themselves. Her interest in genealogy
introduced her to her ancestors and her
vast web of relations. Lillian’s spirit is-
alive, powerful and vital and will be re-
membered in all these connections. She
is always an inspiration.
Lillian Vilborg was predeceased by
her father Hafsteinn Bjarnason, Lorne’s
parents John A. and Effie McPherson
and brother-in-law John A. McPherson.
She will be missed by her mother
Lillian Bjarnason (Johannson) and held
in loving memory by her husband Lorne,
her son Arne and his partner Debb|e
(Gislina and Solmund), her daughter
Erika and partner Jacki (Zona May and
Eva). She is also remembered by her
brother John (Roslyn Pugsley), her sis-
ter Bernice Lindal (Gordon) and their
children, as well by all her MacPherson
in-laws: Eileen Robb, Tom and Donna,
Vera and Don Stewart, Archie and Mer-
le, Inez and Doug Schmit, and Robert
and all their many children and grand-
children.
Special thanks to all the friends
and relations who came from out of town
to help Lillian and her family through this
journey: Inez and Doug Schmit, Bernice
Lindal, Rede Widstrand, Eunice Scarfe,
Thora Howell, Vera Stewart and Sylvia
Chetner. We couldn't have it done it with-
out them. Huge thanks to Phyllis, Ingrid,
Patty, and all the members of the LOVE
team. And of course to Dr. Daeninck
and Tracy at Cancer Care MB, Dr. Chris
Turner, and huge thanks to Brenda and
all the nurses and aides through the Pal-
liative Home Care Program who helped
us to help Lillian die at home. We were
^ Gilbart
Funeral Home Ltd»
J. Roy Gn.BART • J. Wes Gilbart
Fmsi Street, Gimu
309 Eveune SneuEET, Seu^irk 482-3271
treated with kindness.
A memorial service was held April
8 in the Unitarian Church of Winnipeg,
603 Wellington Crescent.
There will also be a service held in
Edmonton, AB at a later date.
At Lillian’s request, in lieu of flow-
ers please send donations to the Helga
Dalman Memorial Scholarship fund
at the University of Alberta. This is a
scholarship that Lillian established in her
grandmother’s name. We will be adding
Lillian’s name to the scholarship as well.
Send to: Student Awards Office, 1-80
Student’s Union Building, University of
Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2J7 . Tax
receipts will be provided.
Jon Valdimar Eylands
21 November 1930 - 31 March 2005
Jon Valdimar Eylands, M.D., 74,
of Sun City, Arizona passed away on
March 31,2005.
He was born in Minot, North Da-
kota on November 21,1930 to the Rev-
erend Valdimar J. and Lilia Eylands. Jon
grew up in Bellingham, Washington and
Winnipeg, Manitoba.
He married Barbara Schleicher in
Winnipeg in January of 1952. He attend-
ed the University of North Dakota, where
he received his Bachelor of Science in
medicine and he earned his Medical
Doctorate from McGill University in Mon-
treal, Quebec.
He started his medical career as a
general practitioner in Rolla, North Da-
kota and in Rugby, North Dakota. From
there he moved to Grand Forks with his
family and did a residency in Pathology
followed by serving as an Associate Pro-
fessor of Pathology at the University of
North Dakota School of Medicine for four
years. Jon remained a loyal UND alum-
nus and generous benefactor through-
out his career.
In 1980, he moved to Phoenix,
Arizona to accept the position of Chief
Pathologist and Laboratory Director for
the Phoenix Baptist Hospital and Medi-
cal Center. His 25-year career in pathol-
ogy in Arizona was a distinguished one,
and included serving as founder and/or
Medical Director for several pathology
laboratories around the state, including
National Health Laboratories, Labora-
tory Sciences International, Lungcheck
International, Bullhead Community Hos-
pital Pathology Lab and Advanced Medi-
cal Laboratories of Yuma.
He is survived by his wife Barbara
Eylands of Sun City, Arizona; sons Val
(Jana) Eylands of Roatan, Honduras,
Kurt (Mary) Eylands and Kris (Leanne)
Eylands both of Grand Forks North Da-
kota; grandchildren Eric Eylands of Los
Angeles, California, Melissa Eylands
of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Nathan Ey-
lands of Bozeman, Montana, and Emily
Eylands of Grand Forks, North Dakota;
WMWL
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Dianne
SlGVALDASON
987-0000
Toll Free: 1-800-267-0794
E-mail: diannes@remax.net
sisters Dolores (William) Lawler of To-
ronto, Ontario, Elene (David) Oakley of
Gimli, Manitoba, and Lilia (Barry) Day of
Keane, Ontario.
Services were held at Christus Rex
on the University of North Dakota Cam-
pus, on Saturday 9 April.
* * *
Oli Pjetur Josephson
31 August 1923 - 29 March 2005
Peacefully on March 29,2005, with
all of his family by his side, Oli Pjetur
Josephson passed away. Oli was born
August 31, 1923, at his family’s home-
stead named Melstadur, near Gimli. He
was predeceased by his beloved wife
Rosebjorg; his father Oli Josephson;
mother Rosa; his sister Mona Chopek;
and brother Valtyr (Walter) Josephson.
Dad leaves to mourn and cherish
his memory his children, Rick (Caroline)
Josephson, Jonena (Frank) Bell and Pe-
ter (Wendy) Josephson; and his grand-
children, Kristjan, Bethan, Katherine,
Adam, Johann, Alexander and Jack.
Dad is survived by brothers-in-law,
Brodie Thordarson of Gimli and Paul
Chopek of Kelowna, BC; and sister-in-
law Margaret Josephson of Gimli; and
many nieces and nephews.
Dad was proud of his family, his
lcelandic heritage and his long and
colourful career in the fishing and re-
lated industries. He began his career
at the age of 14, fishing with his father
at George’s Island on Lake Winnipeg.
He subsequently worked with Arnason
Dairies and Sigfuson Transportation,
making lifelong friends in the process.
He returned to his love of the fishing
industry again with his father and Uncle
Simbi, forming Josephson Brothers and
Son, a company which operated a fish
station at Rabbit Point (known today as
Princess Harbour).
While maintaining his interest in
Josephson Brothers and Son, he joined
Armstrong Gimli Fisheries as a clerk in
the Gimli office.This position culminated
in the early '60s with Oli assuming the
role of General Manager Western Can-
ada for B.C. Packers Ltd.
With the formation of the Freshwa-
ter Fish Marketing Corporation, Oli was
called upon to create, implement and
direct the Fisheries Loan Board for the
province of Manitoba. In this capacity
he was able to continue his association
with the fishing industry until his retire-
ment in 1988.
Oli made significant contributions
to the community at large through his
volunteer work with the Kinsmen, Betel
Foundation and his generous support of
many charities.
In his latter years, at the urging
of his grandchildren, Oli completed a
chronicling of his life history. A con-
stant theme throughout these memoirs,
whether the stories dealt with fam-
ily, friends or business, was Oli’s great
sense of dignity, respect, trust, love and
his unfailing sense of fairness.
The family would like to extend its
deepest appreciation and thanks to Dr.
Tomy and the nursing staff of the Victo-
ria General Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, the family re-
quests that donations be made to the
Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation
or the Manitoba Kidney Foundation.
In keeping with Dad’s wishes, a
private graveside service will be held
prior to the memorial service. In celebra-
tion of Oli’s life, a service was held on
Saturday, April 2 at 2 p.m. at the Gimli
Lutheran Church with Pastor Sauer of-
ficiating.
Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Gimli in
care ol arrangements.
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