Mr. Lloyd Lavin of the Battleford's passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 29th at the Battleford's District Care Centre at the age of 52 years. A Celebration of Life service was held on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. from the Battleford's District Care Centre Auditorium with Reverend Father Greg Elder officiating. Interment will follow at a later date in the Leoville Cemetery, Leoville, Saskatchewan. Lloyd is survived by his loving family: father: William Lavin; sisters: Anne Marie (Wayne) Sorenson, Sheila (Wayne) Turuk, Donna (Dave O'Donnell), Rita (Eddie) Hoff; nieces and nephews: Tara (Ryan) Staples and children Nixon and Davis Shawn Higgs and son Matthew; Blayne (Chelsea) Higgs and children Kade and Clara Skylar and Logan Spence; Owen Dillabough and son Jagger; Kristopher Dillabough. He was predeceased by: his mother: Margaret Lavin; brother: Owen Lavin; grandparents: Thomas (Winnifred) Lavin and Alfred (Lena) Crossland. I am so privileged to be doing this eulogy for a very special person, my brother Lloyd. Lloyd's journey through this life was way more challenging than any of us could ever imagine. Lloyd was the third child in a family of six. We are all very close in age with only 8 years separating the oldest from the youngest. We were raised on a mixed farm. Working very hard was a way of life for all of us for as long as we can remember. We were raised to "do unto others" and mom certainly policed that with an iron fist. To lie, cheat or steal was not an option. Mom looked for these behaviors quite ruthlessly. In each one of us these values are deeply engrained. These values are what Lloyd stayed true to, through his horrendous journey through schizophrenia. Before schizophrenia took over Lloyd's life, he was a very happy, hard working popular guy with a promising future. As a youth and a teenager, he was active in 4H, played hockey, loved to snow mobile with friends and ride horses. He even bought and broke his own horse 'Silver'. As a teenager he had many friends and girlfriends. Everybody loved Lloyd as he was so much fun to be around. In school he excelled with little effort. He worked hard on the farm with dad and Owen and played hard as well. He was just a normal, happy, fun loving teenager. When he left school, he worked for McMurray Excavating in the North West Territories as a heavy equipment operator, building town sites and services. He lived in Igloolic, Inuuvik and Resolute Bay. When he came home he had stories to tell and gifts for everyone. His life was heading in a very positive direction. He developed full blown schizophrenia in his early twenties. This was very hard for Lloyd to accept. I am not so sure he ever did accept it as he was always such an independent, proud man. Like the song you will be listening to next says "this has been a long hard road, with many winding turns" and once you are on this road, there is no turning back. You just carry on and get through it the best you can. Through Lloyd's 31 year journey through hell, he kept his dignity, he kept his pride. He hung onto his independence as best he could. He kept his gentle, kind nature, and never once, in all these years, did I ever hear him complain. He never put anyone down, and if we did, he put us in our place. He taught us so much about humility, about compassion, about kindness. He never judged, he just carried on. I remember years ago, I was visiting him. I noticed he had no winter jacket. I had a grey corduroy, sheep skin lined jacket that was very warm. I gave it to him. The next time I saw him, he no longer had it... I was quite annoyed because I loved that jacket. I asked him where it was. He told me he gave it to someone who needed it. He could tell I was annoyed and he said to me "why did you give it to me if you didn't mean it!". Wow, what a lesson! From someone who has nothing. If you give with conditions, it is not giving at all. My sisters and I all had a very close, very protective relationship with Lloyd. He was so special to each of us. We each have many heart-warming memories we will carry with us forever. He had the best smile that just lit up his whole face. We called it his "cool-aid" smile. Lloyd lived independently for many years and always took pride in whatever job he was doing. For several years, he worked in the canteen as the Saskatchewan Hospital. He loved that job and took it seriously as he always wanted to ensure he was "paying his own way". He was very proud, and would never take "something" for "nothing". His quality of life improved drastically when he became a resident at Marilyn McGowan's home several years ago. He was very happy there and enjoyed gardening and the many outings they went on. He became very attached to this 'family'. When he became too ill to stay there any longer, he moved into the Edwards home. He was very happy there. He was treated with love and kindness. He had another new family and a good quality of life there as well. Here he had chores to do, and they all lived and worked as a family. Under Wendy and Irene's guidance, Lloyd thrived. This was such a huge relief and a gift to all of us, to know Lloyd was in such a good place and as content as he could be. This was where Lloyd started painting. When he became too ill for the Edwards Center, he moved into the District Care Center. Here he spent endless hours painting. He took great pride and joy in each of his paintings. When Lloyd wasn't painting we knew he wasn't feeling well. We think his focus on the painting quieted the voices inside, and gave him peace. He was so happy to give these gifts to the special people in his life. The District Care Center became home to Lloyd. He loved living here. He felt very safe and secure. Rarely could we get him to leave for a visit. For each of us, his sisters, we are touched beyond words by the absolutely exceptional love and care he got here. From the nursing staff, to housekeeping, to kitchen, to the rec staff, to management and the office staff. How can we ever thank you for going that extra mile and giving such love to our brother and making the end of this tough journey so incredible. You gave him dignity to the end. We thank each one of you from the bottom of our hearts. Memorial donations in memory of Lloyd Lavin may be directed to the BTEC Building Fund, 702-102 St., North Battleford, SK. S9A 1E3. For those wishing to leave a condolence you may do so at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca. Trevor Watts of Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
