Obituary

The McGregor family would like to notify you that Elder Dr. Lillian McGregor began her journey to the spirit world very early this Friday morning. Lillian is known for her work as grandmother/elder in the City of Toronto and with many Aboriginal organizations across the country. Lillian was Ojibway, Crane Clan from Birch Island, Ontario who came to Toronto to pursue education and work. Upon her first retirement from a career in nursing Lillian then went to work with: First Nations House, University of Toronto, the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy, Aboriginal Health Office, Friendship Centres (locally, provincially and nationally), Southern Ontario Diabetes Initiative, Indspire (formerly the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation), and many other local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organizations. Lillian travelled on behalf of the Toronto Olympic Committee to Russia in order to support the City’s Olympic bid. She was presented to the Queen and then offered the First Nations prayer to open the provincial legislature. She has also received the National Aboriginal Achievement Lifetime Award as well as the Order of Ontario and an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Toronto. Her other accomplishments are too great to be detailed here. She then retired from this second full time career to spend time with family and friends. Lillian will be resting at the Cardinal Funeral Home (Dundas and Bathurst) in Toronto on Saturday, April 21st, 2012 for a public viewing from 2pm to 9pm. There will be a second public viewing at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto on Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 from 11am to 4pm. The church ceremony will be at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Newmarket on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 11am. The McGregor family would like to request a donation to any of the following organizations in lieu of flowers: -Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, 16 Spadina Rd. Toronto, Ontario, 416-964-9087. -Hill House Hospice, 36 Wright St, Richmond Hill, Ontario 905-737-9308. -The Dr. Lillian McGregor Scholarship, University of Toronto, Fist nations House. Please share this notice with others who knew Lillian and may want to acknowledge her spirit journey. Thank you for all your prayers and kind thoughts, The McGregor Family

Visitation

Date
January 01, 1970
Location
 
Time
Saturday 2-9 & Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Service

Date
April 23, 2012
Location
St. Elizabeth Seton Church, Newmarket, Ontario
Time
11:00 a.m.

Burial / Entombment / Cremation

Date
 
Location
Interment Newmarket Cemetery
Time
 

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April 26, 2012
Native Women's Association of Canada
I give you this one thought to keep - I am with you still - I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the sweet uplifting rush, of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not think of me as gone -- I am with you still in each new dawn. - Traditional Native American Prayer Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, President Native Women's Association of Canada
April 23, 2012
Michele Harding
I was privileged to be able to call Lillian "Grandmother", mentor and friend. We will all miss her wisdom, humour and kindness.
April 23, 2012
Joe, Karen and Malcolm
Dear Ken and Cindy, Our condolences on the loss of your mother. Her spirit will live on through all of her great work.
April 22, 2012
Fr. Frank Wagner CSC
Dear Family of Lillian McGregor: I am the pastor of the Native Peoples' Parish in Toronto where Lillian was a very invovled parishioenrs in the years before I became pastor.I am sorry to hear of her death and that I was not able to be at the visitation. Myself and about 10 members of the Native Peoples' Parish were at a retreat in Guelph from Friday noon and only got back to Toronto by 4:00 p.m. Sunday when I learned of her death. Please accept the commitment of my prayers for her and the offering of a Mass for the repose of her soul on Monday morning. I am not able to be at the Mass at St. Elizabeth parish due to an appointment which I just cannot cancel. Please accept my sincere condolences and expression of gratitude on behalf of the Native Peoples Parish for her faithful service to our parish in the active years of her life. Sincerely in Christ Fr. Frank Wagner CSC
April 21, 2012
Barb Nahwegahbow
Lillian was a great inspiration to many. She will be sadly missed.
April 21, 2012
Isadora Bebamash, M'Chigeeng
I was sorry to hear another elder has gone on to the spirit world. Her teachings and love will be carried on with the many people she has worked with and touched. Miigwech Lillian for your kindness and sharing while you were here.
April 21, 2012
Ronald James Freeman
meegwetch lillian meegwetch
April 21, 2012
Theresa Recollet and John Rutledge
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
April 21, 2012
Theresa Recollet and John Rutledge6
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
April 20, 2012
Randy and Marcia Oliver , South Boardman,Michigan
It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of a great woman. I have known her since I was a child and always remember her love for family and friends. She will always be remembered for her service to the community. My heartfelt condolences go the family.
April 20, 2012
Mark & Sophia Peltier
Our condolences - we so enjoyed visiting with her on our OFIFC Board meeting trips. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. Chi’Meegwetch for her service to us.