SCHMIDT, Shirley Barbara (née Bartlett)
August 25, 1931 — July 27, 2022
It is with great sadness that the family of Shirley Schmidt announces her passing on July 27, 2022.
Shirley leaves a legacy of love to her four surviving children: Gerald Jack, Sheila McCourt, Terry Jack, & Diana Gillies; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She will also be dearly missed by her brother, Ray Bartlett, and her sister, Patricia Kazimer; her numerous nieces and nephews; and her many dear friends. Sadly, she was predeceased by the love of her life, Karl Schmidt; sons Donald Jack & Gordon Jack; as well as her granddaughter Jessica Dawn Jack.
Shirley was born August 25, 1931, to Herbert “Tommy” and Ada Bartlett, a proud military family, at Calgary Alberta. Shirley followed the family tradition by joining the Militia in 1961, the 746 Communication Squadron Calgary, where she served for 20 years. Tommy and Ada demonstrated a lifetime of service, an example which Shirley followed all her days.
Shirley was a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 26 and a proud, multifaceted, active volunteer for over 41 years. During those years Shirley was able to raise thousands of dollars for the Poppy Campaign as well as the spirits of all she encountered. Shirley organized the Legion’s monthly wheelchair socials, as well as visiting veterans at Cottonwoods Care Home for over two decades. Shirley would always respond when asked to serve in the Legion Branch 26 Honour Guard, no matter what the weather. Shirley was also a driving force behind a number of dances and social events held at the Legion, and some might remember her remarkable singing voice at said events!
Shirley was also an active volunteer in the community since she moved to Kelowna in 1980. Shirley volunteered with ADRA locally for 18 years. She was one of the founding members of The Raging Grannies and was once on the RCMP’s most wanted list for some of their exploits, one of her proudest moments! Shirley also volunteered many hours with Kelowna Community Theatre, as well as The Kelowna Hostesses, and anyone else who asked for her help.
In 1995, Shirley was recognized by the city of Kelowna for all her good work when she received the Sarah Donalda Treadgold Woman of the Year award. In 2012, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee medal, and in 2015 the Capital News Community Leader Awards named Shirley Service Organization Volunteer of the year.
Shirley will be dearly missed by her family and all her friends and loved ones.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Cancer Agency – Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior.
A Celebration of Life will be held on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022, at 4:00 PM, at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. Clair Jantzen will be officiating, Interment will follow at a later date in the Field of Honour Queen’s Park Cemetery in Calgary, AB. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM:
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of SCHMIDT Shirley Barbara nee Bartlett August 25 1931 — July 27 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique