Mary Cecile Tilden
October 8, 1930 - June 27, 2020
Obituary
Mary Cecile Tilden was born October 8, 1930 in Winthorpe, Saskatchewan, a tiny farming community on the Canadian prairies. She passed away June 27, 2020 in her home in Normandy Park. Cecile was the daughter of an Irish immigrant and a descendant of Canadian pioneers. Her parents farmed wheat. She grew up with her three brothers, taking care of the animals, cooking for the household, and sledding and ice skating in the Canadian winter. Cecile went to elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse taught by her mother. She received a nursing degree from St. Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing in Saskatoon in 1952.
Walking to town in the fall of 1951, a young man, Doug Tilden, stopped to offer her a ride on a bridge in Saskatoon over the Saskatchewan River. They were married May 4, 1954. They remained devoted to each other until Doug passed away 57 years later. Cecile and Doug moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to start their family and their life together. They moved often in their early years, Tulsa (2 children), Stillwater, Oklahoma, Houston, Texas (1 child), and Huntsville, Alabama (3 children). They finally arrived in Normandy Park in 1973, where they stayed. Cecile worked as a nurse everywhere they lived, a job she loved. She was active in St. Francis of Assisi church, the Normandy Park community, and her children’s lives. Cecile was high-energy, strong-willed, and a fierce supporter of her children. No one could hope for a better mother. All of her children grew up knowing they had the most fun mom in the neighborhood.
Cecile is survived by her son Jeff Tilden of Mercer Island, Jeff’s wife Robin Silver, her son Ron Tilden of Woodinville, Ron’s wife Gail, her son Brad Tilden of Seattle, Brad’s wife Danielle, her daughter Julianne Arns of Federal Way, Juli’s husband Bill, her daughter Kathy Lorenz of Issaquah, Kathy’s husband Michael, her son Kevin Tilden of San Diego, and Kevin’s husband Philip Diamond. She is also survived by her 13 grandchildren whom she cherished: Allison, Annie, Douglas, Eric, Hannah, Katherine, Keith, Lauren, Jacquie, Maria, Max, Ryan, and Saul.
A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Burien.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, 1702 20th Street West, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7M 029 Canada in memory of Cecile Tilden.
Kevin- Thanks for posting this. What a family! She sounds wonderful. Losing a mother is always hard even after they;ve had a good, long life. I am sorry your family can’t gather to mourn together due to the pandemic (!). Next year, I hope.
We’ll miss seeing and talking with dear Cecile at family reunions! What a kind, caring member of our greater Tilden-Tollefson clan. We’ll remember her intelligent and sparkling conversation.
What a fantastic sense of humor! We’re envious of the joyous heavenly reunion she must be having today with her beloved Doug, parents, and other dear departed friends and family!
Chief Seattle Council, Boy Scouts of America send our condolences to the Tilden family at such a difficult time. Such a great Scouting family.
Michael S. Quirk
I’m so sorry for your loss, your mother sounds amazing.
Tilden Family so sorry to hear of your loss; sounds like she was pretty great – know that she raised some kids that are characters.
We just lost one of the truly great women of our age. Her legacy is the family that she and Doug founded. I have told more than one person that I’m glad I was not born a Tilden; I’m not sure my ego could have taken the pressure of being in a family so completely embued with stellar performance combined with genuine humanity. Canada’s loss was America’s gain. Rest In Peace — you changed this world for the better.
We loved being her neighbor, and will miss her! Keith, Jana, Sam & Clare Johnson
To the Tilden Family,
My family and I are thinking of all of you in this time of sorrow. I feel privileged to have counted Cecile as a special friend for over 50 years. She was an amazing person and she will be missed by all. We are sending our love and condolences to all of you.
Marian Herrin and Family
Great lady, generous, kind to all, raised a great family. May she rest in everlasting peace.