At University Hospital, London on Monday July 20, 2020, at the age of 92. Beloved wife of the late Capt. John R. Beer, RCAF (1975). Survived by sons David of Chatham (Dianne), John of Windsor, and Steven of London; grand-daughter Kristin Heard (Keith) and great-grand-daughters Katherine, Nicole, and Danielle of London, and grandson Aaron Beer of Edmonton; sister-in-law Lucille Beer of Hensall, several Saskatchewan cousins, and many nieces and nephews, to whom she was either 'Aunt Lil' or 'Auntie Mitch'. Predeceased by brothers Frank Mitchell (1962), John 'Jack' Mitchell (1993), and Emerson Mitchell (2017); brother-in-law George Beer (1995) and sisters-in-law Elaine and Evelyn (1992) and Phyllis (2014). Lillian was born February 19, 1928 in Morris Township, Huron County, to William Mitchell and Elizabeth Watson. Graduating from the Kitchener-Waterloo General Hospital Nursing Program in 1951, Lillian's career really began in the mid-1940's as a 16 year-old helper at a maternity hospital in Brussels, Ont. founded by her second-Dad and mentor Dr. Charles Myers and his wife Anne, an RN. As an Air Force wife (always 'adapting' because it was expected and because she was up-to-it), Lillian nursed in Winnipeg, Exeter, Ont., Tillsonburg, Camp Borden, Moose Jaw, Winnipeg again, Alliston, Ont., and finally Exeter again, from where she retired in 1991. A Life Member and officer of both Hensall Legion and the Ladies' Auxiliary, a Hensall United Church committee-member for 40 years, a nursing-home and Seniors' Drop-In volunteer week-in/week-out for years after she retired, Mom was known as a team-player and a 'doer', the product of a generation that dedicated their time on Earth to public service. Mom was easy to love, easy to work with, honest and patient, uncomplaining and always in good spirits, even in difficult times, a 'small-gesture-goes-a-long-way' type of person. That's why her first mentor's youngest daughter, as well as a grand-niece and a great-grand-niece, bear her name. We grew-up in a happy, fun environment because our Mom and Dad loved each other, that was plain for all to see. And we ate like kings, because Mom could cook anything, and her baking was legendary. Always friendly, Mom used to say, 'Life's too short - say hello when you meet someone on the street, whether you know them or not.' She was living-proof that longevity might have something to do with not holding grudges, being utterly without guile or meanness, knowing when you're lucky, and treating friendship like a gift. As her boys learned growing-up: when other people think your Mom is a nice person, they cut you a lot of slack.
Mom will be missed.
