Lilian Magana

October 13, 1944 – February 20, 2023

Mrs. Lilian Magana passed away peacefully at Saint Boniface Hospital on Monday February 20, 2023.  She went to the Lord at the age of 78.  Lilian is survived by Carlos her husband of 61 years, her children, and grandchildren. Lilian Orellana (Rene Orellana), Marilyn De Lange, Cristina Magana, Silvia Magana, Karla Coombs (Bruce Coombs) and her grandchildren Christian, Gabriel and David Orellana  and Zuzu and Porter Coombs.

Lilian was born October 13, 1944, in Santa Ana, El Salvador. She brought her family to Canada in 1986.

A service will be held at a later date with close family only.

In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations to St. Boniface Palliative Care or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Fund.

 LETTERS TO MOM

From Carlos:

Any, mi amada esposa, fuiste mi amor, la luz que ilumino mi caminar en la vida, tu consejo siempre oportuno y acertado, tu paciencia, amor y perdon  de origen divino. Por mis errores del pasado hicieron possible que sea lo que ahora soy y este hoy donde me has dejado, pues, de otra forma todo lo hubiese perdido, gracias mi amor.

Any, to vida y caracter ha sido el ejemplo fuerte, la roca solida que mantubo unida y en amor a todas nuestras hijas, to esposo y tu hermano.

Any, gracias carino por haberme dado todo tu amor desde el primer te quiero hasta el final de tu vida.. Dios en su gloria te tenga, Hasta pronto amor.

From Lilian (Lily) Orellana:

Who is the momma? Well of course my momma. She was always the no-nonsense type of gal, smart, driven, fierce protector, resourceful, the epitome of practicality not afraid of hard work looking after her household, five girls, a husband, a business and sometimes a pet or two.  She was not perfect, but she was perfect for us.  She loved the Lord and knew the Lord would take care of her eternally.   The last bible verse mom and I read together was Hebrews 4:16: “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in time of need”. So she found the grace and rest she needed. Celebrating her life is our way of honoring her.

From Marily (Mari) De Lange:

Dearest mom,

As I think about what to say about your life, I realize there are not enough words, or a way to describe you adequately and completely.  You were not a celebrity, but you are a superhero to those you love and that love you.

I didn’t always understand the depth of all the sacrifices you made for our family and how you endured the injustices and hardships that life threw at you- and sometimes even from those that made a promise to love and protect you.  Your unwavering strength was evident from an early age. At only 17 years old you became a mother and started the all too soon adult life journey that brings us to celebrate your life today.  With the unwavering and steadfast love and support of your own loving mother you set out to bring up five daughters that would grow to love you deeply, admire you immensely and appreciate you beyond words.  All that we are we owe to you, and whatever successes we have or will achieve in our own lives belong to you.

How to describe you, my dearest mom.. There are no enough words… but these words are front and center: incredible strength; unwavering conviction; tenacity and perseverance; staunch sense of right and wrong; unlimited brilliance; physical and spiritual beauty; resourcefulness; no-nonsense; the needs of her loved ones always came before her own and at the expense of her own aspirations; unmatched sense of humor with a touch of mischievousness

Dearest mom, thank you for giving us your love and your life,  we will love you always and will  continue to strive to make you proud.

I will love you forever.  Mari

From Silvia Magana

Dear Mom,

I thought I was ready to face these hard times. I knew they would be coming and tried to prepare my heart..

We worked hard to fill our days with joy.  I love your laughter and cheeky humor, the times spent talking about the past, struggles, family, dreams left behind and future plans. 

I thought I was ready…  There was so much I had hoped we’d do, places to go, more seasons to live.

I want to thank you for loving me again and again, from the day I was born and for becoming my best friend.  I will carry your smile in my heart.  Your love in my soul no matter where I am.  I know you are with me and will never feel alone.

I thought I was ready… to ace these hard times… to let you go from my life…  I never was…

I will love you forever, to the moon and back.

Silvia..

From Cristina Magana

Momma Linda,

You are and always will be my best friend, my center, my strength.  The only love, happiness or approval that truly matters in my life.

I am the woman I am because of you.  I love with all my heart, I give all that I have, I protect those I love most… You knew and taught by example that forgiveness and love is all the wealth that mattered, the only one we take with us when we leave this world.

You brought us into this world and made sure we were together when you transitioned to the Glory of God’s loving arms, because my family, my sisters each of us will need to love and support each other now until it is time to meet with you again…

Your smile, laughter, sense of humor and zest for dancing and music, will always warm my heart and remind me that hard times are always “temporary”.  I love you so much mom, it is hard not having you here near me, but I am so grateful and at peace knowing that Jesus took over… HE removed the pain, so you can – with HIM- love, watch, protect and guide us until we are back home with you again. 

Cristina…

From Karla Coombs

My heart is filled with memories of love and laughter. Mom loved to laugh, and I loved making her laugh. I will miss her sweet face, her smile and the way she loved me, all my sisters and her grandchildren. Her strength, intelligence and great capacity for love is what sustains me now when I need it the most.  There are no words adequate enough to describe my beautiful mom or how I feel about her parting.  What she left me is in equal measure to the part of me that goes with her. Her memory is a treasure I will jealously guard until the day we meet again.

Karla…