Longtime Langford councillor Lillian Szpak dies suddenly

Lillian Szpak, who served as a Langford councillor for 24 years, is being remembered as a champion for residents and a passionate leader and mentor who helped shape her city through decades of civic contribution.

Szpak, who was 73, died suddenly on Saturday, the City of Langford announced on Monday. No cause of death has been formally announced by the family.

“Lillian loved her family and her community deeply," her family said in a shared statement.

“She lived every day to the fullest, and we will miss her forever. She burned bright till the very end. We love you, Lillian.”

Flags across Langford, at CRD headquarters, and at Victoria City Hall were lowered to half-mast in honour of Szpak, who Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson said “gave so much of herself” to the people she served.

“For more than two decades, she showed up for this community with conviction, compassion, and a deep respect for residents,” Goodmanson said.

A career dedicated to civil service

Szpak was born in New Waterford, N.S., and grew up in a military family, which took her to Germany. According to the Times Colonist, she married her high school sweetheart in 1975, and they went on to have two sons.

In 1993, the family moved from Lahr to Langford, where the couple opened a physiotherapy clinic.

Before being elected in 2002, Szpak served on the board of the Westshore Chamber of Commerce, volunteered with community organizations, and served as a citizen volunteer on Langford’s planning and zoning committee. She was the only incumbent re-elected in Langford in the 2022 municipal election.

Szpak represented Langford on several other boards, including those for the CRD, the Capital Regional Hospital District, and the Capital Region Housing Corporation. She chaired the CRD’s Water Supply Commission, one of her passions.

“Her service reflected the breadth of issues that matter to residents: responsible growth, public input, environmental stewardship, housing affordability, community safety, parks, recreation, regional collaboration, and the importance of representation in civic leadership,” the city said in its release.

Over the past 18 months, Szpak served as the CRD’s regional parks committee vice-chair.

Remembered fondly by her community

“Her leadership and steady presence reflected a deep care for community well-being, environmental stewardship, and a forward-thinking approach to regional governance and planning,” the district said in a release.

“Director Szpak’s passing is a significant loss for the CRD and for the region she served so passionately.”

Goodmanson says Szpak cared about people being heard and about the future of Langford.

“She understood that public service is both a privilege and a responsibility,” said Goodmanson.

In its release, the City of Langford echoed those sentiments.

“She brought to Council a deep belief that local government should listen carefully, respect community voices, and make decisions with future generations in mind,” the city said.

Langford Coun. Mary Wagner said she considered Szpak a mentor and described her as “a bright light” who gave decades of service to her community and the region.

“She would often say her guiding principle was to ask herself, ‘How will this serve my community?’”

She said her family, including two grandchildren, was very loving and close.

“Politics can be tough, but she always found a way to keep going and find time for her family, her dog, and staying active,” Wagner said.

She called Szpak a strong advocate for youth services, water, and women in leadership. Szpak earned a master's degree in leadership studies from Royal Roads University. Her thesis focused on “Giving voice to young women at risk.”

Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Highlands, called it a privilege to see Szpak’s passion for community up close.

“My family will miss seeing Lillian, our neighbour, walking and biking through Langford—in particular my grandmother, who often would run into Lillian on her morning walk.

“My deepest condolences go out to her husband Bob, her family and friends, as well as the broader community as we reflect on her powerful legacy.”

Stew Young called the news shocking. “For over 20 years, Lillian served her community with dedication and commitment, and I have great respect for her contributions,” the former Langford mayor said.

Langford Coun. Mark Morley also expressed “deep sadness” at the news of Szpak’s passing.

“I will remember her with deep gratitude as a good friend and valued colleague—‘a friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be,’” he said.

Coun. Colby Harder called the news of Szpak’s passing “devastating.”

“Lillian was a matriarch,” she said.

“Her 24 years of service as city councillor have had a profound impact on the community we live in today, and for me, her mentorship and generosity were instrumental in my journey as a young woman serving my first term on Langford Council.”

Fellow Coun. Kimberley Guiry said she was overwhelmed with sadness about the passing of her friend.

“I learned a lot about the type of councillor I want to be from her leadership,” she said.

“Everything about her was inspirational, from her energy to her commitment to her openness.”

There was no immediate announcement concerning a memorial or celebration of life event.