LILLIAN ROSE SOLLEY

December 23, 1922 ~ December 27, 2019

Lillian Rose (Chapman) Solley (nee Johnson) passed away peacefully on December 27, 2019, at the age of 97 years. Lynn, as she was usually called, had just celebrated her 97 Birthday on December 23 with many of her family present. She was blessed by a long and fulfilling life, surrounded by a loving family and many faithful friends. Lynn is survived by her daughters, Vicki (Bob) McCaig and Leslie Mayer; step-daughters, Lynne (Ernie) Rance, Penny (Lloyd) Haynes and Jacquie (Daryl) Greenstein; grand- children, Heather McCaig, David McCaig (Reagan Weeks), Brad Kelly, Barbara (Jason) Kruk, Glenn Rance, Bill Haynes, Michelle (David) Huck, Colin (Stephanie) Haynes, Karla Benoit (Devvon Drader), Colin (Kristen) Greenstein, Trista Greenstein and Tania Haynes; great-grandchildren: Dayton, Mason, Jamie, Ethan and Katie, Jake, Emily and Keidis, Logan and Shaelyn, Indira, Soleil, Saul and Samuel, Bennett, Raedyn and Axtin, Summer and Hunter. Lynn was predeceased by her first husband, William E. Chapman; second husband, William G. Solley and grandson, Darren L. Mayer. She was born in Great Yarmouth, England on December 23, 1922, and had three older siblings. When Lynn was 13, her mother passed away and she eventually went to live with her grandmother in Cambridge, England. At the age of 17, she joined the British Army in Nottingham, becoming a plane-spotter during World War II. This is when she met her first husband, Bill Chapman, who was in the Canadian Navy. They met in Greenock, Scotland and were later married in Southern England. They lived in Scotland and when she was 6 months pregnant she sailed to Canada as a “War Bride”. She entered Canada through Pier 21 and her story is written in the book “Bombs to Meadowlarks”. She travelled by train across this huge country, which she thought was beautiful, because you could see so far. Bill and Lynn raised their two daughters, but were eventually divorced. She then worked at the new Hospital as a Pharmacy clerk. Later she married Bill Solley, who had three daughters. She helped raise the youngest daughter, Jacquie. Lynn and Bill had many friends through the railroad and war brides. They liked to camp, travel and play cards. They enjoyed backyard stampede barbeques and loved to sing old songs around the fire. Lynn was a member of the War Bride Association and the Ladies Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen from 1947 – 2012, serving as president twice. She was a founding member of a Canasta club for almost 60 years with her close friends, Lil McDougall and Madge Nieman. In later life, she loved playing cards, reading and doing jigsaws until she lost most of her sight. Playing Crib with family became a highlight. Lynn never lost her memory and could discuss the daily news and events. She enjoyed her children, step-children, grandchildren and great-grand-children always looking forward to their visits, love and support. She will be missed by all. Lynn always enjoyed the excellent care, kindness and friendship she received at the retirement homes. The Celebration of Lynn’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901-13 Street SW, Medicine Hat, on Thursday, January 2, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., with Reverend David Pollard officiating. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made in Lynn’s memory to Ronald McDonald House, 2450 South Highway Drive SE, Redcliff, Alberta T0J 2P0, cheques made payable to RMHC Alberta. Honoured to serve the family is

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455 www.cooksouthland.com “Locally owned & direceted”