Obituary
MOWAT, Shirley (nee Gaudry)
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our loving mother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Shirley passed away on February 8, 2020 at St. Ann’s Nursing Home in Saskatoon with her loving family by her side. Shirley was born to Janvier and Beatrice Gaudry on July 25, 1941 on the family homestead in Park Valley, SK. She was the 5th of 9 children. She attended a one room schoolhouse a couple of miles from her home at Lake Four. Like so many other young people at that time, she quit school after grade 8 to go out and work and earn her way in life. She learned the importance of a loving family and strong work ethics at a young age. She worked alongside her older brothers and sisters on the farm, raking and hauling hay, milking cows, stooking at threshing time, and taking care of the farm animals. She learned to ride horses and drive a team of horses which was a necessity in getting the heavy farm work done and a form of transportation. She always said that she and her sister Florence worked as hard as the men did on the farm. Despite the hard work on the farm she found the time to learn to play the guitar and sing and became an entertainer. Many enjoyable times were spent sitting around listening to her sing and play guitar. She truly loved to entertain and did so at weddings, dances, rodeos, CKBI amateur shows and just whenever the opportunity arose. She was also blessed with the gift of the gab, with an incredible sense of humor. She could tell jokes and had one liners that would keep those around her laughing and entertained for hours. She had silly sayings for so many things. There is not enough that can be said about Shirley’s love of her family and friends. The birth of her two daughters was the light of her life, and years later the birth of her grandson Devon made her life complete. Many of us were gifted with her generosity whether it be a place to stay for a few nights, a few weeks or just come in and have coffee (preferably Tim Horton’s) and in her words “a little lunch”. She enjoyed baking, and usually had a matrimonial cake or a cheesecake on hand for company. She especially enjoyed chatting and visiting with her family and friends and anyone else who came along. Shirley’s career included childcare, housekeeping, and cafeteria server. She retired at the age 60 from a 13 year position as a bar server. There she earned the respect from her customers who affectionally gave her the name To Tall. Those knowing Shirley will understand the significance of that name as she stood all of 4ft 10 inches. Her memory will be cherished and never forgotten, by her daughter Pam (Bruce) Kemmer, and their son Devon, daughter Hayley Mowat, siblings Robert Gaudry, Florence (Lorne) Archibald, Paulette Arcand, Laverne (Dennis) Nelson, Darlene Ewert, and Dale (Marcel) Bouchard, as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins and special friends Cecile and Ed St Germaine. She was predeceased by her parents Janvier and Beatrice Gaudry, the father of her children Edward Mowat, her brother Wilfred Gaudry, sister Cecile Loveday, and sister-in-law Kathy Gaudry. The family would like to express their gratitude to the St. Ann’s staff for their exceptional care, humor and love shown to Shirley during her stay there. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jean de Baptiste Parish in Debden, SK for the Park Valley Church Fund. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church (211 Ave. O S.) in Saskatoon. The Interment will be held at a later time. Arrangements in care of Ashley Knash – Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306) 978-5200.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Shirley Mowat February 8 2020..
Mourning Glory Funeral Services
Death notice for the town of: Saskatoon, Province: Saskatchewan