Obituary of Dilys May Schaffner

Dilys May Bowen was born in Castor on May 15, 1932 the 14th of 15 children born to Charles and May Bowen. Dilys passed away May 18, 2016 at Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital at the age of 84 years. Although she wanted to be a school teacher, she only got to Grade 9 before she quit school and entered the working world. She started work at Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital in Castor before moving on to be a waitress at Lou’s Café where she would make better wages. It was while working at the café that she met William Frank, better known as Bill Schaffner. It was her blue eyes that attracted Bill and she often mentioned how the Schaffner boys always had the whitest and most neatly pressed shirts which first attracted her to Bill. They married on July 5, 1952 and had two children Bonnie and Michael and they eventually had two grandchildren, Ashleigh and Scott. They started farming north of Castor but when Michael was two years old, Dilys started working in town again to help make ends meet. Like most farmers wives, she helped with the chores: milking cows, feeding pigs and raising chickens, usually 500 a year. She also had a garden every year despite not really liking it. She kept a clean house and always had meals ready on time. She often said “Hard work never hurt anyone” but it nearly did her in numerous times. In 1972, Dilys started working at the Paintearth Lodge and within the first year took over the position of Head Cook. She worked there for 20 years before she and Bill retired and moved to town. At one time when the Lodge was short staffed, Dilys ended up working 21 days in a row without a break. When someone asked her why she agreed to do it; all she said was “well someone has to help take care of those old people.” After retirement, Dilys discovered the Farmers Market where she and her sister in law Violet Turre would sell their baking. This gave her a great sense of pride and accomplishment. Like all the Bowen girls in that family, Dilys was the glue that kept her family together. Dilys was predeceased by her husband Bill of almost 62 years; as well as her parents and 12 of her siblings: Charlie, Margaret, Ivor, Bill, Cyril, Hayden, Susie, Myfy, Marj and Violet. She is survived by her daughter Bonnie (Ron) Fuglem and son Michael Schaffner (Ralph Dilworth); grandchildren Ashleigh Fuglem (Cody Dawson) and Scott Fuglem (Taylor Schellenberg); a sister Catherine Siebold and a brother Stan (Alma) Bowen; as well as three special in laws Grant Baird, Yvette Bowen and Helen Bowen. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends including Shelly Jackson. In Loving Memory Dilys May Schaffner Funeral Service Tuesday, May 24, 2016 11:00 A.M. Evangelical Missionary Church, Castor, Alberta Private Family Interment will follow the funeral service in the Castor Municipal Cemetery and a luncheon back in the Church served by the Women's Ministries. Memorial Donations may be made to Alberta Cancer Foundation, Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation or Paintearth Lodge. Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium 403-882-3141 www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com Shelly wrote this poem when Dilys retired from the Lodge: You taught me how to wash the plates, bleach the cups and check the dates. Then you showed me what to do when making up a roll or two. Buns were fun but loaves are quicker So I’ll make my buns a little bigger. I felt so bad when you got sick I made your plum pies a little thick You saw me through thick and thin and always helped me raise my chin. A friend like you is hard to find You were always there when in a bind.