Liliane Ida Renée (Schneeberger) Ghali

It is with sadness, but also deep gratitude, that we announce the passing of Liliane Ida Renée Ghali (née Schneeberger) of Calgary, Alberta, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the age of 91 years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, whose kindness and unconditional love touched everyone around her.

Liliane was born on July 23, 1934, in Lausanne, Switzerland, to her parents William-Jean and Emma-Léa Schneeberger. Her childhood spanned some difficult years – most notably World War II and the passing of her father when Liliane was only 7 years old. Despite these challenges, Liliane spent her early years surrounded by the natural beauty of Switzerland, where she developed a love of nature -- especially birds and flowers -- that stayed with her throughout her life. In her early adult years, Liliane worked at the Office of Social Welfare of the City of Lausanne, where she supported families and individuals in need, reflecting her lifelong commitment to caring for others.

Liliane met her future husband, Amin Ghali, during his post-doctoral studies in Lausanne. They married on July 24, 1958, in Cairo, Egypt, and began their life together there, where Liliane embraced Amin’s large Coptic Egyptian family and learned Arabic—a testament to her openness and adventurous spirit.

In 1964, Liliane and Amin immigrated to Canada, first settling in Toronto and then moving to Calgary in 1966. Calgary became home for the next six decades, where Liliane created a household filled with … boys. She was an exceptional cook, which was a great thing for all the mouths that she fed. And together with Amin, she gave her sons the gifts of travel, the French language, and lots of Swiss chocolate.

Beyond her devotion to family, Liliane also contributed to the community through her work with the Calgary Board of Education, providing translation and support for francophone families, and later with the Calgary Immigrant Aid Society, helping newcomers navigate life in Canada. This work reflected her deep empathy and commitment to helping others feel at home.

Liliane embodied her Swiss heritage. People often marvelled at her enduring European elegance and grace, despite her being surrounded by three active boys. For most of her 60 years in Calgary, she was a member of the Swiss Cultural Society of Calgary, regularly participating in its monthly women’s lunch group. These gatherings were a source of friendship and cultural connection—something Liliane cherished.

Liliane is survived by her sons William (Doreen) and Philip (Kyoko) and her five grandchildren—Brianna, Sarah, Katrina, Emma, and Kai. She was predeceased by Amin and her eldest son, Neal.

In later years, Liliane faced a series of health challenges that made it difficult for her to remain at home. In 2022, she moved to Bethany Calgary, where she received exceptional care from the dedicated team on Unit 2 South. While the transition to long-term care was a difficult adjustment for Liliane and the entire family, it became a place where genuine kindness and humanity shone brightly—and where love transcended the health challenges of its residents. For this, the family is profoundly grateful.

Liliane’s passing occurred at Bethany Calgary. While our family was of course saddened by our loss, we were deeply moved by the expressions of love and support from the team on Unit 2 South.  The Bethany team held our mother and our family in their hands and hearts that night, and in return we will hold those moments we shared near to our hearts, forever.

A Memorial Service for Liliane will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Summit View United Church (formerly St. David’s United Church, 3303 Capitol Hill Crescent N.W., Calgary.) The service will also be accessible by livestream at: https://youtube.com/live/vdjh2Nj6WxA?feature=share.

Memorial donations can be made to the Bethany Care Foundation: https://bethanycarefoundation.com/donate/.

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