Sally Lionais

Sally Eleanor Lionais (nee Hildebrandt), beloved wife of Charles (Chuck) Lionais, CDR (ret’d) lost her valiant struggle with PSP (Progessive Supranuclear Palsy) on October 30, 2025.

Sally was born in Winnipeg, MB, October 5, 1945, daughter of Albert and Elsie (Klaprat) Hildebrandt, both from Oldenburg, MB. She spent her childhood on the family owned farm at Oldenburg with three sisters; Alice (Irvin (deceased)) Honke, Beausejour, MB, Shirley (Harvey) Knopf, (both deceased), of Kelowna, BC, and twin sister Sandra (Ron) Turchyn, Thunder Bay, ON. Sally is survived by her children; Tammy (Kim) Rowan, Winnipeg, Leon (Darlene) Herzog, Selkirk, MB, and Leah (Neil (deceased)) Dilworth, Winnipeg. She is also survived by her step-children; Michael (Shannon) Lionais, Ottawa, ON, Patrick (Jenna Bennet) Lionais, Ottawa, Alec Stuart, Winnipeg, and Rebecca Stuart, Toronto, ON.

In Winnipeg, MB, there are seven grandchildren; Kevin (Dawn Marie), Rebekka (Julie), Sarah (Troy), Rylee, Audrey, Matthew, Alyx, and one great-grandchild, Luca. In Ottawa, Sally leaves step-grandchildren Sebastian and Aislin Rose. There are also many surviving cousins, nieces and nephews.

Sally married Ken Herzog of Seven Sisters, MB at the age of 18 in 1963. They divorced in 1975 and she raised her children as a single mom. She met her second husband, Dr. Richard (Rick) Stuart, a Historian with Parks Canada, through the Manitoba Naturalists Society. They moved to Ottawa with Rick’s job, where they lived happily for ten years. Both loved the outdoors and spent much time hiking, climbing, canoeing, camping and Nordic skiing. Sally lost Rick to cancer in 2005 and suffered the loss greatly. She had taken the Fine Woodworking course at Algonquin College and immersed herself in woodworking and other hobbies. Sally was an excellent gardener. She loved her flowers and shrubs and was justly proud of her gardens. Reflecting her love of woodworking and gardening, she worked at both Artistic Landscape Designs and Nursery and Lee Valley Tools in Ottawa. Sally’s love of gardening and belief in personal fitness was passed down to her daughters.

At the urging of Chuck Lionais, a frequent client of Lee Valley Tools, Sally joined the Ottawa Valley Woodturners Club. After a few years, they found out that each had lost their spouse to cancer about four years earlier (Denise and Rick). They were made for each other and married about ten months later. They continued their many outdoors activities, enjoying time in their extensive workshop and gardens, renovating and of course, travelling. Sally took up Alpine skiing and returned to golf. She really enjoyed the annual ski trips when they met up with a coach full of Cape Breton skiers, visiting the various ski hills of Quebec and the Northern States. Another favourite was wilderness canoe camping. She took up fishing and became quite proficient at it.

Sally was noted for her beautiful smile, sense of humour, love of life and the outdoors, and her friendly, caring nature. She was loved by all and will be sadly missed. She was a real gem!