LILY STEVENS

On June 2, 2026 Lily Stevens (Foster, Hyshka) moved on from her fight with cancer. She travelled those long months bravely, with the love and support of family from across the country, a bottomless supply of sharp humour and wit, a dedicated cat, a couple of fat boys, some ice cream, pizza and movie dates with her best friend Kerry, alongside an endless amount care and concern for others over self.

Lily was born in Brandon, MB in 1944 to Mike and Stella Hyshka, growing up on Mcdonald Avenue, just up the street from Aunty Olga’s, and Uncle Alec’s. She also spent time at the homes and farms of many extended family members in the Gilbert Plains, Dauphin and Minnedosa areas. She met her lifelong friend Helen Revoy, and later her husband Bill, attended primary and nursing school for a time, and eventually moved to Winnipeg. There, Lily would meet and marry Jim Foster, with whom she had two children, Michael and Christine. Lily worked a wide range of jobs over the years, often supporting her family independently after the household dynamic shifted. She met and later married Kerry Stevens, who, though later separated, has remained her best friend, and a primary support in the tough times that inevitably come.

Lily’s circle was small, but her focus was family, immediate or extended, human or feline, and she always found time for a timely visit, a good pet, a quick phone call, or for the most fortunate of us, a handcrafted and generally humourous poem. She thrived in the seeking, stashing, and later presentation of the ‘perfect gift’, often located via the dark art of thrifting or garage saleing. She loved summers at the beaches, and later at Kerry’s cabin in Ontario, until the trek there became too challenging. In her later years she enjoyed puttering in her Chestnut Street gardens, hunting dandelions like a mercenary, catching an occasional ‘Judge Judy’ or shopping channel offer, and always, always focusing on the cat of the day, of which she cared for and rescued many over the years.

Lily is survived by her good friend, Kerry Stevens; her son Michael (Mary); grandchild Jasper, granddaughter Chantelle (Dennis); great-grandchildren, Mason and Madison; her cat Shelby, and many other connections she nurtured over the years. She was predeceased by her parents; many aunts and uncles; her first husband Jim; and her daughter Christine. She had also lost many good friends over the years.

Family would like to give thanks to the incredible people that supported her transition in recent months, the team on the 5th floor at the Grace Hospital, the 8th floor Palliative team at St Boniface Hospital, and the Palliative Care Manitoba folks who walked this path with us. There are too many beautiful people to name, just know that your efforts made an incredible difference to Lily and her family.

There will be no formal service, per Lily’s wishes. We will likely hold an informal gathering at her home in the coming months, and will update when we get to that place.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to a local animal rescue of your choosing would make Lily very, very happy.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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