Ilien Coral Coffey (nee Mawby) passed away June 16, 2014 at Hospice House in Vernon, British Columbia. She leaves to mourn her four children; Jerry (Barbra) and Jerry's daughter Sherry, Maxine with son Daniel, Linda (Ron) with sons Joe and Sam, and Ted (Debbie) with sons Sean and Matthew. Ilien was predeceased by her husband of 56 years George Edward Nelson Coffey in Carlyle Saskatchewan.
Ilien Coral Mawby the youngest daughter of Alfred and Isabella Mawby was born on the farm near Tisdale, Saskatchewan in a log house built by her father. Her mother died when Ilien was 9 years old so her older sister Elsie helped to raise her. In 1944 she joined the Canadian Women's Army Corps where she took training in Kitchener, Ont. and Edmonton, Alberta. She was posted to Currie Barracks in Calgary where she was Pay Sergeant.
She returned to Regina after the WWII where she finished grade 12 and took night classes for secretarial work. She had met George Coffey at school and then they were both employed at McGavin Bakery in Regina. They married December 19, 1947. They moved a lot in their married life ending up living on family homestead by Carlyle, Saskatchewan. In 2007 Ilien moved to Vernon, BC with daughter Maxine to be near other daughter Linda and her family.
Mum was a proud home maker and volunteer. She Brailled over 72 books for the blind. She was a published poet and artist. Mum always was creative with words, fabric and art. She took up painting, made quilts and loved arranging flowers. Music played a huge part of her life, learning how to play the organ and violin while teaching line dancing in Carlyle. Exercise was a daily thing Mum enjoyed, walking and playing golf.
Ilien will be sadly missed by her family and many friends. There will be a family ceremony in Vernon and then Ilien's cremated remains will be interred in Dalesboro Cemetery, Saskatchewan at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations gladly accepted for Hospice House, 3506-27th Avenue, Vernon, British Columbia V1T 1S4.
Cremation arrangements were made with
BETHEL FUNERAL CHAPEL LTD.,
5605-27th Street, Vernon, B.C. V1T 8Z5
250-542-1187
