Obituary
Shirley Jennings passed away peacefully on October 16th, 2021 in Grandview, Manitoba with her family at her side.
Shirley was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on January 5th, 1944 to Irwin Victor Clements and Hilda Florence Clements. She was a very active young lady participating in swimming competitions and visiting Grand Beach. But her most cherished role during this time was being an older sister to Joan and Roy Clements and a loving granddaughter to her Grandma Tustin. Life as Shirley’s younger sibling meant you always had a watchful eye to keep you safe; and an extra nudge to be the best you could be delivered in her unique, straightforward way. After her mother fell ill with Multiple Sclerosis, Shirley took on the role of second mother to her siblings as she played a bigger part in helping raise them. As her sister shared “she was my strength, my inspiration, and one of my best friends”. Her brother shared he would often needle her just enough to elicit a witty response of “I will kick your butt if you don’t watch it”. A visit to her grandparents home always meant they had a little less ice cream in the freezer and a few less candies in the cupboard because she had a sweet tooth from the start to the end of her journey.
After attending Tec-Voc high school her priorities and life changed in a number of unexpected ways. She was recognized as a 3rd generation Eatonion along side her mother and grandmother while working at Eatons. In 1963 Shirley married John Balan from Warren, Manitoba and was embraced from the very beginning by the Balan family. She enthusiastically accepted her most important role as a mother and became a life long pillar of strength and a guiding star to her four children, John, Sheila, Richard and Maureen.
After a number of years, Shirley found herself raising the kids alone. But with the help of many friends and family, she ensured her kids experienced life in the best possible way. She would balance her multiple jobs and attend all of the sporting events on any given day. Her voice can still be heard in many rinks across Manitoba “get your ass moving Balan” or “shoot the puck, shoot the ring”. Her enthusiasm and support for her kids and the teams they played on was certainly felt by all of those around her.
Even though Shirley was very independent she had this unique ability to balance work, kids, her family, and her friendships. With over 75+ nephews and nieces many would have experienced a special moment with Aunt Shirley, especially at the dinner table or during a family event. In her home today she still has reflections of the past and present: a sign on her door reads: “The road to a friend’s house is never long” and Shirley’s was certainly very short and always welcome. A poem was found in her home: “Ah yes, a friend is special how lonely life would be, so I say a special ‘thank you’ my friend so dear to me – Arlene”. Shirley kept and cherished all the of the cards, letters, notes, keepsakes, and pictures she ever received, and there were many. She had books with notes for reference nicely organized by years and occasions from the family and friends in her life; and it was clear how much she appreciated the people she held dear after seeing these books.
In the late 1980s Shirley met her life partner David Jennings and his three daughters Stacey, Tanya and Pam. Shirley and David embarked on many adventures briefly living in Grand Rapids and Gillam, Manitoba while David worked with Manitoba Hydro. A few years later the settled back in Woodlands for many years. They would find time to pick up a fishing rod and loved to relax at the lake. Where they spent many hours of fun with her grandchildren.
David and Shirley were married in 1996 in Woodlands Manitoba. The entire Jennings family welcomed Shirley with open arms and would often be seen gathering at weddings or other family events. After David retired from Hydro, both David and Shirley eventually discovered a passion for raising pure bread cattle, gardening, travelling, cruising with friends and eventually spending time in Phoenix to escape the cold winter months.
Shirley cherished being a Mother In-Law to Troy (Married to Maureen), Tracey (Married to Richard), Carol (Married to John). There was never a dull moment in the time spent with her extended family. She was not afraid to tell it like it is, but her direct demeanor was always tempered with good humour, and most important of all, it came from a place of love and a strong desire to help. As a grandmother to Ellysse, Elizabeth (Parent Sheila), Dylan, Branden, Austin, Logan (Parent Maureen), Max, Jack (Parent Richard) and to Lucas and Sydney (Parent John), Her great grandchildren Darcy, Kayley, Nathan (Ellysse Parent), Hunter, Austin and Bentley (Elizabeth Parent), she loved to talk about all of them. She was supportive and involved during her short visits: attending a sporting event, or school event with the same enthusiasm as was seen with her own children. She would always knit the first jacket and sew the first blanket for all of the grand children. She would often share how encouraged she was to see her grand kids graduate and grow into young men and women; and how she believed they could achieve great success.
In 2016 David and Shirley moved to Grandview, Manitoba to be closer to Maureen as her health started to decline. With her usual good humour, she referred to her Alzheimer’s diagnosis: “I was diagnosed with Sometimerz’s, sometimes I remember, sometimes I don’t”. She was able to maintain a positive outlook even as it started to impact her on a daily basis. Even though things were difficult at times, she still loved activities like painting, knitting, sewing, eating ice cream, and socializing with family and friends.
She was often heard saying: “It’s a great day today, I’m on the right side of the grass, in the future we may hear her say: “It’s a great day, welcome to the other side of the grass, I know who I am, I know who you are, and I love you”. Even though we understand “this too shall pass” her impact will never be forgotten and she will always be found in our hearts and our minds connected forever.
As per Shirley’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a later date later in 2022.
The family would like to thank all the Doctors, Nurses and Staff at the Grandview Hospital and Clinic for taking such good care of mom over the years. Special thanks as well to the paramedics for their compassion and TLC they showed towards mom as well as the family during our difficult time.
Should friends so desire, a donation can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Alzheimer Society of Canada in memory of Shirley Florence Jennings (nee Clements).
If roses grow in heaven,
Lord please pick up a bunch for me,
Place them in my Shirley’s arms
And tell her they’re from me.
Tell her I love her and miss her,
And when she turns and smiles,
Place a kiss upon her cheek
And hold her for a while.
Because remembering her is easy
I do it every day.
But there’s an ache within my heart,
That will never go away.
Love, David
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Florence (Clements) Jennings, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Shirley Florence Clements Jennings January 5 1944 October 16 2021 (age 77)..
sneath strilchuk funeral services
Death notice for the town of: Dauphin, Province: Manitoba