It is with deep sadness and abiding reverence that loved ones announce the passing of Lillas Marie Hatala. Lillas left the world peacefully and with grace, in her home sanctuary in Calgary with her three children by her side.
Lillas was born in Carberry, Manitoba to Vern & Marjory McNair. She earned a BSA from the University of Alberta (1975) and an M.C.Ed. from the University of Saskatchewan (1984). She was a conscious, feminine leader and pioneer before her time. Her professional expression spanned decades as a teacher, author, coach, creator, facilitator and business owner. Through her wide contributions to the field of conscious leadership, Lillas showed us how to lead with love and modelled a new way forward in the world. Lillas lived her life with an unbreakable sense of possibility, delight, and presence. She uplifted all those around her. Even through her difficult cancer journey, she would reflect on her life with a smile of gratitude. She embraced every win and every setback as an opportunity to grow and serve.
In her own words … “I am living in the mystery. That means I choose to surrender day by day. So here I am, a spark of the joyous Divine. What will I do with this one precious day?”.
Lillas loved her family beyond measure and will be deeply missed by her three children; Scott Brown (Karianne), Marie Brown Berg (Everett) and Michael Brown (Jill) and their children who will always lovingly remember their affectionate, generous, and effervescent Grammy. Lillas is survived by her mother Marjory McNair, brothers; Doug McNair (Shanna) and Roy McNair (Harj), cousin Ian McNair (Tracey), and many more cherished family members and friends.
Thank you Mom/Lil/Grammy for your wisdom, insight, curiosity, time, long talks, gentle touch, positivity and deep listening. We will love you forever. Enjoy exploring the wide-open space of the luminous Divine alongside your beloved husband (Rick Hatala) and your dear father (Vern McNair).
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Ovarian Cancer Research at https://ovariancanada.org/
Condolences from family and friends
Posted by Val Petrich | 13-Nov-2022
In addition to her many accomplishments as educator, feminist, leader and author, Lillas became a yoga teacher. I watched her thrive in her training and then integrate it for many years in her work. Her enthusiasm in exploring eastern studies was child like and infectious. She glowed. She was so thrilled to take more training with her daughter and share yoga classes and meditation with her. She was a good friend and a lovely soul. She lived with grace and she met the great beyond with the same admirable grace.
I worked with Lillas at University of Saskatchewan Extension Division. Lillas was a person open to possibility and life all the while fully grounded in being a growing, loving human being.
We were colleagues and friends, exactly the same age and both had 3 children about the same age. I recall how we would meet most days in her office to review and plan current work. We began by talking about how we were personally. Lillas always believed that the personal and the professional were intertwined. To do one’s best at both one needed to acknowledge this. We worked closely together for 9 years. I can easily say they were the best working years of my life. A dear, beautiful soul has passed and I will so fondly remember her.
My condolences to the family she loved so deeply.