BREEN, Lillian IsabelOn Friday June 30, 2017 our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunty and friend Lillian Isabel Breen (Shewfelt) passed away at the age of 94. Lil stood for so much even though she stood less than five feet tall...she was loving, generous, strong, caring, funny, devious, thoughtful, creative and fiercely protective, with the most sparkling blue eyes you have ever seen. Lil was born on October 1, 1922 in Watrous, Saskatchewan and after graduating High school in 1942 followed her older sister Irene to Edmonton. Upon arriving in the Big City, Lil began work at the Checker Lunch on 95th Street and Jasper Avenue. She also worked as a nurses' aide during the final days of WWII. This was where she met and later married Bob Breen (aka Edmonton's Klondike Mike). In 1956 they built their home in Terrace Heights where they remained for 40 years. In addition to looking after her growing family Lil also took in borders to help make ends meet. Lil was an amazing cook and many of her recipes are still being prepared in family kitchens. Mom was also a talented craftsperson making several signature pieces.....all of which she quietly gifted to friends and family. Lil devoted much of her time to volunteer work in the community. This included work with service groups like Edmonton Women's Shelter, Lions Club, Kinsmen, Eagles, Alberta All Girls Drum and Bugle Band, The Craft Store and more. With absolutely no desire to obtain a drivers licence, Lil was a regular on the Edmonton Transit System often acknowledging drivers and fellow riders by name.Lil retired from work outside the home in her early sixties but continued on with her volunteer work well into her seventies. One of her favorite pastimes at this time of her life was playing cards. Whenever you went to visit mom it wasn't long before she would say "Do you want to play some cards?" She took her card games seriously and would sometimes accidentally shock us with a choice word when she didn't get the card she wanted. Mom's generous nature always put family needs first and claimed her family as her single greatest treasure. She loved us all and made each and every one of us feel special. Sadly, Alzheimer's robbed mother of her memory and the ability to communicate for far too many years.Lil is survived by daughter Sandy, sons Paddy, Michael and Paul, daughter-in-law Susan, grandchildren Chris, Nicole, Mike, Kristi, Clayton, Danny and Nickolas, several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. We were blessed to have her in our life.The family wish to thank Dr. James Bell and especially the staff and caregivers at Youville Home in St. Albert for the loving comfort they provided our mother over the last eight years.To sign the book of condolences, visit www.evergreenmemorial.com