May Lievesley Remembered by Vancouver Welsh Society
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MAY LIEVESLEY |
By EIFION WILLIAMS
VANCOUVER - A large gathering attended the funeral services in the Cambrian Hall on February 28 for May Lievesley, a long-time member of the Vancouver Welsh Society. May passed away on February 19 at her home in Dunbar, in her 95th year, surrounded by her loving family.
Phoebe May Rees was one of eight children born into a mining family in Gorseinon, South Wales. As a young woman, May moved to Cornwall, England, where she worked in a hotel and there met her husband, Bernard Lievesley.
In 1957 May, Bernard and their only son Paul emigrated to Canada, arriving in Halifax during a snowstorm and then proceeding by rail to Vancouver, where they joined May's older brother and his family.
For many years until their retirement, May and Bernard owned a rest home in Vancouver. Sadly, Bernard passed away in 1982. In her last years May enjoyed spending time with the family, especially the happy times with her grandchildren in their holiday beach house in Osoyoos, and later in Point Roberts.
May rarely missed a special event at the Cambrian Hall and last year helped cut the cake to celebrate the Welsh Society's 100th Anniversary. She will be remembered for her gentle nature and her obvious love both for the country of her birth and the country that provided her family with new opportunities.
The funeral service was conducted by Welsh Society member John Cann. In his eulogy, Neville Thomas recounted some of the significant events in May's life in Wales and Canada, while David Ingram spoke about how much May meant to the family.
John Pritchard and Russell Roberts presented readings in Welsh and English. The service also included several rousing renditions of May's favourite Welsh hymns.
Paul Lievesly thanked all those who contributed to the memorial service, especially Kearney's Funeral Service, and has requested that any donations in May's memory be made to the Vancouver Welsh Society.
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