McIlvaney, Minnie
September 16, 1916 - December 3, 2013
Minnie McIlvaney (born Wilhelmina Antonia Schollen) September 15, 1916 Drumheller, Alberta - December 03, 2013 in Coquitlam, BC. Minnie was a person of great strength and always had a smile on her face. Her family was a unique source of pride and joy. She was a wonderful mom and grandma (The best according to Adrienne). This beautiful girl fell in love with Bennie McIlvaney, a handsome young man coming back from the war and she married him in 1946. The couple moved to the West Coast to raise their family of five children which grew to nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Peter (Anne), Bernie (Judith), Jim (Cécile), Chris (Lee), Mary (Norman)(Lorne); Grandchildren: Eric, April, Sara, Jenifer, Adrienne, Jessica, Renee, étienne, Monique; Great grandchildren: Logan, Rebecca, Francesca, Macey. There is nothing Minnie enjoyed more than having people around, listening, chatting, laughing, having a glass of wine and cooking a big batch of spaghetti for everybody. Over the years, she welcomed many people in her life and was an attentive friend. A lady of great generosity, she never hesitated to help people who she knew were struggling. Minnie loved music and had a wonderful voice. She was the soul of the party. She also enjoyed dancing in her younger years. A good knitter, she did what grandma’s are expected to do and knit many blankie and sweaters for her grandkids. Well read, she kept an eye on the news and knew where the world was at. She had an opinion on many topics and liked good conversation. About ten years ago, she lost her sight but kept reading with audio books. After the death of her beloved Bennie in 2009, her health declined. She spent the last years of her life in Lakeshore Care Home. On December 3, she decided that it was time for her to go…and she went without any fuss. She will be missed a lot.
