"Toots" Martha Fanny Aurilla Tilley

: 
Martha Fanny Aurilla Tilley nee Freeborn died peacefully on January 25, 2021 at the Souris Personal Care Home. 
Affectionately known as “Toots”, she has selected the following passage with the instruction;
“Please put this with my obituary, it is so nice. I love you all.”
To those I love and Those Who Loved me
When I am gone, release me, 
let me go:
I have so many things 
to see and do,
You must not tie yourself
to me with tears,
Be thankful for
our many years.
I gave you my love,
you can only guess
How much you gave to me
in happiness.
I thank you for the love you
each have shown,
But now it’s time
I traveled on ….Alone.
So grieve for me a while
if grieve you must,
Then let your grief
be comforted by trust.
It’s only for a time 
that we must part:
So bless the memories
 within your heart.
I won’t be far away,
For life goes on: so
If you need, 
call and I will come:
Though you can’t see me or 
touch me I’ll be near.
And if you listen with your
heart you will hear
All my love around you,
soft and clear
And then when you must come 
this way alone, 
I’ll greet you with a smile 
And say
“Welcome Home”.

Toots was born on January 16th, 1932 in Wellwood, Manitoba and was 89 years of age. Her parents were Charles Fredrick Henry Freeborn born June 15, 1883 in Grey County, Ontario and Sarah Aurilla O’Connel born February 14th, 1892 at Carleton, Shelbourne County Nova Scotia.  She is predeceased by her husband Walter Tilley (1931-1989), siblings; Berthea Graham (1918-2001), May Graham (1919-2004, Fred Freeborn (1921-1986), Evelyn Graham (1923-1975) and Davis Freeborn (1928-2013).  
She is survived by; Daughter, Geraldine “Gerry” Sadler and husband Larry Sadler of Souris; Son, Terry Tilley and wife Karen Tilley of Brandon; and son, Warren Tilley of Morden. Grandchildren; Crystal and husband Chris Page, Candice and husband Bryan Swaenepoel, Kara and husband David Van Dam, Laura and husband Matt Phillips, Terri-Lynn and husband Jaret Harms, Tiffany Tilley and partner Marc Perreault, Tyler and Rachel Tilley.   
Toots took tremendous joy in spending time with her great grandchildren and in the final days loved to watch videos of them at play. Often saying affectionately “The little monkey’s.” as they showed off their new piano or skating skills. She received regular art work and photos from her 17 great grandchildren McKenna, Kelsey, Raylee, Jack, Ava, Carson, Aurilla, Emily, Josie, Clara, Cole, Hunter, Nic, Forest, Warner, Gavin and Lucas.   
Toots worked as a telephone operator and Walter for the CPR in Brookdale when they got married on June 23, 1951.  In 1953 they moved with their daughter to Poplar Point and then to Carberry in 1954. Here she settled in with her husband, built a home and raised their children. She returned to the workforce briefly, working at Carnation Foods until her retirement. With several of her siblings living nearby there were many card games and much laughter in her house. Music was a part of her life as she would provide “chords” on the piano for a local band in her youth. Later in life she would spend some time each day playing songs she knew on her organ. She played by ear and kept her repertoire of songs on a listing she kept by the organ. She loved to crochet and needlepoint and completed several large works which she had framed and passed on to her grandchildren. Walter and Toots had built a cabin and had spent much time there. She loved to have all the kids up to enjoy their company. There were many games of Canasta played with much debate over the rules. Bragging rights were coveted  and equally shared over the years. Following Walter’s death Toots moved to a Condo in Carberry were she enjoyed the company of fellow residents and Wednesday morning coffees. Following a stroke she moved to Souris Personal Care home. She always had a smile for everyone and was very appreciative of all the kind care she received. 
A private Funeral Service will be held at a later date. Honorary pallbearers are Tyler Tilley, Matt Phillips, Chris Page, Jerry Freeborn, Clare Freeborn, and Bryan Swaenepoel. Interment will be at the Carberry Plains Cemetery with Whites Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Donations may be made in Toots memory to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Souris Personal Care Home. 
Toots will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her ……
“We never lose the ones we love. For even though They’re gone, Within the hearts of those who care, their memory lingers on.” 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of "Toots" Martha Fanny Aurilla Tilley, please visit our floral store.