Lila Engberg (97) passed away, peacefully, on September 23, 2020 at Wellington Terrace, in Fergus, Ontario. Lila, who retired from the Department of Family Studies, University of Guelph, was born in Calmar, Alberta on April 24, 1923. She is survived by brother Bob (Betty) in Edmonton and nine nieces and nephews in Alberta. She was predeceased by her parents and brothers Dennis and Kenneth. Lila attended Edmonton Normal School before teaching four years in Alberta. She obtained her B.Sc. (1949) in Home Economics from the University of Alberta. Lila taught foods and nutrition in Vermilion, in Fairview Schools of Agriculture and Home Economics, and in the Composite High School in Red Deer. She also served in Lethbridge and Edmonton in the Alberta Extension service. Lila left Alberta in 1957 to teach at Macdonald Institute, Guelph. She obtained a M.Sc. from Iowa State University and a Ph.D. from Cornell. Lila became interested in justice issues in international development, particularly for women and families. She had three assignments in Africa; 1963-1968 in Malawi with the Nutrition Division of FAO, United Nations; 1970-1975 with the University of Ghana/Guelph partnership as acting head of the Home Science Department, University of Ghana, and 1982-1985 with University of Malawi/Mount St. Vincent University home economics partnership. After retirement, Lila had short term assignments in Africa, in Brazil and in Central Europe. Among the honours Lila received were a distinguished service award from the International Federation for Home Economics in 1996, a distinguished alumni award from the University of Alberta in 1997, and a Woman of Distinction Award in Guelph, 1998. Cremation has taken place—internment to be at Calmar Community Cemetery, Alberta. Her family and friends wish to thank the staff at Wellington Terrace for their loving attentive care. Memorial gifts may be given to KAIROS Justice Initiatives, to Harcourt Memorial United Church, Guelph, or a charity of your choice. Due to restrictions, no memorial service will be held at this time. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 519-822-0051.
A tree will be planted in memory of Lila Engberg in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.