We are saddened to announce that Shirley Margaret-Ellen Papke (nee Doddridge), passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the age of 86 years. She is lovingly remembered by her four children: Hal, Murray (Melodee), Kevin (Sarah) and Joanne (Jeff). She will also be missed by her eight grandchildren: Robert, Katrina, Chelsea, Brady, Hannah, Jenae, Wendy and Kyla, as well as numerous great-grandchildren and extended family. Shirley was born in Calgary on July 7, 1931, to Reginald and Lucille Doddridge. She grew up in the Bridgeland and Beltline areas of Calgary with her loving brothers Bob and Bill, who both predeceased her. These three siblings remained very close their entire lives and are now united again. Shirley was always a devout Catholic and attended St. Mary’s Girls School. Upon high school graduation, she proudly completed her nurse’s training at the Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary. Once completed, she took on a job at the Didsbury Hospital. It is here that she met and married Cec Papke. As an oil family, they spent the next number of years living in a variety of locations in four different provinces. It was in Virden, Manitoba, that her first son, Hal, was born. Then, once moving to Ft. St. John, British Columbia, her family grew even larger with the births of Murray, Kevin and Joanne. In 1966, the family moved to Edmonton for the first time. Over the next number of years, they found themselves moving back and forth from Edmonton to Calgary, finally settling in her beloved Calgary for the remainder of her life in 1973. Shirley spent her days as a homemaker at this time, as well as actively involved in the countless sporting activities of her family. She was always in the stands for every hockey or baseball game, as well as actively involved in competitive swimming as an official and as the team manager. Watching sports of all types, both amateur and professional, was Shirley’s favorite past time even until her final months. When her children got older, she returned to nursing in the capacity of an office nurse with doctors of cardiology. She took great pride in working with these doctors and her beloved patients. Upon retirement, Shirley spent many years looking after two of her granddaughters, Wendy and Kyla, every day while their parents were at work – something that both she and the girls loved. This was a very special time for the three of them. Shirley‘s most important aspect of her life was always her family. She was never happier than when she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren and extended family. Christmas was her favorite time of year, where she would spoil every single one of us and relish in all the holiday had to offer. Her last days were spent surrounded by her family, probably the reason she just kept holding on longer than expected. Ultimately, however, Shirley succumbed to dementia, a disease that slowly overtook her life for the past five years. Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Shirley on Friday, January 26, 2018 at St. Michael Catholic Community (800 – 85 Street SW) at 11:00 am. Photos, memories and condolences may be shared with Shirley’s family through www.evanjstrong.com. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Southwood Hospice (211 Heritage Drive SE, Calgary, Alberta T2H 1M9; 403-252-1194; www.intercarealberta.com/southwood-care-centre.html). The family wishes to thank the staff of the Southwood Hospice in Calgary for their excellent care and compassion for the last week and a half of Shirley’s life. Arrangements in care of EVAN J. STRONG FUNERAL SERVICES. (403) 265-1199.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Shirley Papke July 7 1931 January 20 2018 (age 86).source
Décès pour la Ville: Calgary, Province: Alberta