Tribute

Lynne Hill Sperling, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on
June 8, 2023. She was born on May 28, 1945, in Vancouver, to parents Dorothy and Elmer
“Jeff” Henry. She spent her childhood immersed in the natural beauty of a dairy farm in Golden
alongside her sisters Bonnie and Tammy, where she developed a lifelong affinity for nature and
healthy living.
Upon graduating from high school, Lynne pursued her intellectual curiosity at the University of
British Columbia in Vancouver, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and
Biology. She then embarked on a new journey with Lane Hill, whom she married in 1968. Their
shared life briefly took them to Kamloops before the birth of their cherished children: Tanya in
1969, Nadine in 1970, and Jeff in 1973. The family planted roots in Hope from 1972. Lynne and
Lane’s paths diverged in the early ’80s, leading to their divorce in 1989.
Her tenure as a young stay-at-home mother was filled with baking and crafting sessions with her
children. Lynne was the epitome of a dedicated hockey, skating, and swimming mom, and she
was an ardent supporter of her children’s activities. Lynne’s vibrant spirit was evident in her wide
array of hobbies, which included crocheting intricate doilies and Christmas stockings, quilting,
woodworking, Chinese cooking, and most notably, photography. Lynne’s camera was her
constant companion at family gatherings, immortalizing joyful moments. She embraced the joy
of the present moment, often preferring to engage in activities that brought happiness rather
than focusing on house chores.
Professional life took Lynne to Abbotsford in 1995 where she served as a financial aid worker
and later, a social worker until her retirement in 2003. She touched many lives with her
kindness, compassion, and dedication to helping those in need.
Lynne’s spiritual journey also guided her towards a closer relationship with God during the
1980s. She was a committed member of the Grace Baptist Church in Hope, where she was
baptized in December 1981. She later joined the Heritage Alliance Church in Abbotsford where
she found a loving community and embraced many new friendships.
Lynne’s life was further enriched by her grandchildren, Tanner and Cierra, children of Nadine
and Dwayne, and Austin, Acacia, and Tanee-Dee, children of Jeff. She cherished them
immensely and they brought great joy to her life.
In 2001, love bloomed again for Lynne when she met Len Sperling through their church group.
This period, filled with shared adventures from local explorations to the Maritimes and to a
memorable Panama Canal cruise, was among the happiest times of her life. Len’s family,
including his children Sherry and Mike and their spouses and children, were warmly welcomed
into Lynne’s heart, forming an extended family bond.
The period following Len’s passing in 2012 brought personal challenges for Lynne, including a
breast cancer diagnosis in 2013. Nonetheless, her deep faith and resilience saw her remaining
active in her church groups, culminating in a missionary trip to Taiwan in 2019.

During this time, she continued to enjoy hiking or paddling and also visited Ireland with her sister and brother-in-
law.

Lynne’s life story is a radiant tapestry woven with threads of resilience, faith, and love. As we
remember her, we are inspired by her undying optimism, her unwavering strength, and her
boundless love. Her legacy continues to live on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, and
all those who were touched by her incredible spirit.

Lynne will be sadly missed by her children, Tanya Hill, Nadine (Dwayne) Friesen and Jeffrey
Hill; grandchildren, Tanner, Cierra, Acacia and Tanee-Dee; stepchildren Sherry (Doug)
Heidebrecht and Michael (Debra) Sperling; step grandchildren Austin, Luke (Myriam), Amanda
(Diego), Jordan (Kaitlin), Blair (Christy) and Shelby (Joel); great grandchildren Matteo, Sophia,
Ethney, Ellis, Nelson, Sage, Finley and Sutton. Lynne will also be missed by her sister, Bonnie
(Terry) and nieces Debi (Menno) and Lori (Kevin) and grandnieces Rowan, Ashlinn and Keeva.
Let us honor Lynne Hill Sperling by living a life full of kindness, maintaining a deep bond with
nature, and embracing each day as an adventure.

Join us to remember and celebrate the remarkable life of Lynne, at the Heritage Alliance Church
in Abbotsford on June 19th at 1:30 pm. Her legacy of resilience, kindness, and love for life will
forever inspire those who had the privilege of knowing her.