Lily Thompson Petticrew (nee Quigg)

Lily Thompson Petticrew died peacefully at Capilano Care facility in West Vancouver on Saturday, March 29th, 2014. She is predeceased by her husband William (Bill) Polonis Petticrew, her one and only love.

Lily was born on July 26th 1934 in Greenock Scotland, daughter of Irish immigrants Matthew and Elizabeth Quigg. She was the eighth of ten children and the youngest of the six girls.

Lily was raised in Greenock in a very busy and extremely close household. They survived WWII together through food rationing, carrying gas masks everywhere and frequent periods in air raid shelters, all while their father was away in combat. At age 16 Lily was taken out of school to help manage the household.

She met her husband Bill at a dance, a passion for both of them, and it was love at first sight. They married on April 4th 1956 and their journey together commenced. Within two years they welcomed their first child John. Bill advanced his career in the ship building industry by taking an opportunity in Calcutta India but unfortunately had to leave his family at home. After a year of separation Lily had had enough of being apart. She sold everything and took the first of many ocean liners to reunite the family in India. The couple loved their life in this foreign land, embracing all aspects of the culture and becoming fluent in Hindi. Their second child, Elizabeth Thompson Quigg, was born four years later. The family took the opportunity to travel extensively in the region. When it was time for son John to enter high school the family decided to return to Greenock where Lily remained until 1979. Once Elizabeth started high school Lily decided to embark on a career and was immediately hired by National Semiconductor. A stickler for detail, Lily was soon promoted to quality control supervisor. As other opportunities presented she moved into local government.

Bill’s advancement continued and they soon left to start a new chapter of their adventure in Canada. First was Halifax Nova Scotia and then eight years later St. Johns Newfoundland where Bill became the CEO of Newfoundland Dry-dock. Sadly, three years later, Bill lost his fight with cancer. Lily spent a brief period in St. John New Brunswick before settling in West Vancouver where she has resided since 1992.

Lily was first and foremost a wife and mother. Once grandchildren came along however she would seldom be called anything other than Granny. Lily loved to cook, sew, knit, quilt, home decorate and garden. She was a beautiful pianist and a timeless dancer.

She will be sadly missed by her children John and Margaret Petticrew of Dubai and Elizabeth Petticrew and Munson McKinney of West Vancouver. Her grandchildren Gavin William & Diane Petticrew of St. John New Brunswick, Ross John Petticrew of Dubai, Kristy Petticrew of Abu Dhabi, Malcolm William McKinney and Hannah Whitney McKinney of West Vancouver. Great grandchildren, Marissa Nicole Petticrew, Kirk Thomas Petticrew, Cameron Michael Petticrew and Abigail Lily Petticrew all of St. John New Brunswick.

The family sincerely appreciates the high standard of care provided to Lily by the staff and doctors at St. Paul’s Hospital and Capilano Long Term Care.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 5th, at 5:00 PM at St. Christopher’s Anglican Church, 1068 Inglewood Avenue, West Vancouver with a reception following at 1930 Orchard Way, West Vancouver.


“We love our granny, our wee Scottish granny.
She's as sweet as the heather, the bonny Scottish heather
Oh granny we love you so!”

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