With heavy hearts we announce the death of our beloved Mom and Grandma Shirley, at the age of 82 years on October 11, 2018. Shirley was born on April 6th, 1936 in Hamiota, Manitoba.
Left to forever cherish Shirley’s memory are her son Brad (Karen) Smith and grandchildren Megan and Kayla of East Selkirk; son Larry (Jill) and grandchildren Emily, Tori, Samuel, and Isabel of Portage la Prairie; daughter Connie (John) Bagrie and grandchildren Kyle and Amy of Winnipeg and step-son David Kinnear of Toronto.
Shirley is survived by her sister Phyllis (Art) Mckenzie; brother Keith (Agathe) Kennedy; sister in-law Shirley (Kevin) Shea, Carolann (David) Scrim and brother –in- law Charlie (Louise) Smith. Shirley is also survived by her many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Ross Smith; son Brian Smith; parents Alex and Mabel Kennedy; sister Margie Taylor and brother- in-law Dan Smith.
Shirley graduated from St. Boniface Hospital School of Nursing in 1958. After her graduation she began her nursing career in Carberry, Manitoba where she met and married Ross Smith. With dad being a member of the RCMP, they would move to various towns and cities throughout Manitoba. Shirley facilitated all the moves and set up the new homes for her family masterfully. Shirley worked as a registered nurse in Carberry, Minnedosa, Stonewall, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie, and Winnipeg.
Shirley’s profession as a nurse spanned over 50 years. It was a career that she took great pride in. She was professional, hardworking and devoted to her work. Shirley’s most important characteristics were her humbleness, sincerity, compassion and kindness. She gave comfort, care and strength to others when they were most vulnerable. Her quiet effective manner brought calmness to the colleagues she worked with and to her patients. She was drawn to nursing because of a desire to care, to serve and to help. Her caring touched so many lives.
She was devoted to her family and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. One of her greatest joys was following their sporting activities and the many friends they made along the way. Her ability to organize and plan around her children’s schedules was simply amazing. As a grandmother her love was unconditional. She thought the world of each one of them and always was interested in their lives. Her grandchildren loved her dearly.
As a mom, she was simply the best. She was the most compassionate, strong, selfless and loving person. Mom was an avid gardener and loved her flowers. She loved her Kitty, bird watching, curling, golf, sewing, camping, dancing, skating, and was a big fan of the Winnipeg Jets. She also loved listening to music and had recently taken piano lessons. It was a joy to hear her perform at her piano recital.
Mom enjoyed entertaining and always had a fridge full of food especially something sweet to nibble on. She welcomed everyone who came through the doors. She has given us so much and asked for so little in return. We are forever grateful for her teaching us, listening to us, helping and forgiving us, loving us and always being there. We will continue to work hard to reach the standard you set. We loved our sweet beautiful mother. You were an angel in the shape of our mom.
Memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel at 1:00 pm. A private family interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery.
As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Shirley’s memory to the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter 3062 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB , R3K 0Y1 or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation 1379 Kenaston Boulevard, Winnipeg MB, R3P 2T5.
A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021
Donations may be made to:
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba
1379 Kenaston Boulevard, Winnipeg MB R3P 2T5
Web: www.heartandstroke.ca
Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter
3062 Portage Ave., Winnipeg MB R3K 0Y1
Web: petrescueshelter.com
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Shirley Jean Kennedy Smith April 6 1936 October 11 2018 (age 82)..
Décès pour la Ville: Portage-la-Prairie, Province: Manitoba
