Obituary
Celebration of Life in Honour of Shirley Henderson
Saturday, September 10th, 2022
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Royal Canadian Legion Branch #65
275 Duke Avenue – Portage la Prairie
Shirley Mabel Henderson
With sunshine beaming through the window and family by her side, our mom Shirley Henderson passed away peacefully on July 12, 2022 at the age of 85 at PDGH. Fortunately, she had been in reasonably good health until about three months before her death.
Shirley was predeceased by her loving husband Allan, sisters and spouses Florence(Ed), Ethel(Alf), Eileen(Bob), and Edie(Arnold), brothers and spouse George and Arthur(Marion), and parents Sid and Florence. Shirley was the last Henderson of her generation to pass; passing before her were sisters-in-law and spouses Bernie (Bill), Evelyn (Hamelin), Gladys (John), as well as mother and father-in-law Jessie and Roy.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Bev and husband Keith McDonald of Winnipeg and son Brad and wife Cathy of Portage. She was the treasured grandma of Jill (Jen), Scott (Kelly), Keith (Penny), and Nick and special greatgrandma GG to Sam, Emily, Kaleb, Micah, Willow, and Ruby. As well, she was a beloved Auntie, great and great-great Auntie to so many nieces and nephews. Shirley is also survived by her brother Don and his wife Carol.
Shirley was the second last child born to Florence (Sturgeon) and Sid Hiscock on May 1,1937 in the district of Lenswood, Manitoba. She spent her early years on the family farm and attended McKay School. Later, she moved with her parents to Bowsman and attended high school there. As a young girl Shirley met Allan when her sister Eileen married Bob Henderson. Years later, romance bloomed. Shirley and Allan were married on November 18, 1955 and they settled in Portage to live and raise their family. They were happily married for almost 44 years when Allan passed in 1998.
Mom was always happiest when busy and helping out. She retired 3 times before it stuck. Mom worked as a bookkeeper at several places: Portage Creamery, Husky, and ODOphthalmics. She always enjoyed meeting people and often became a “work mom” to the younger staff. When she finally did stay retired at age 77, mom liked to stop in to visit her nephew Rick at Fine Tuned Auto. In return for free oil changes, she could sometimes be found helping out as an “assistant auto mechanic”!
In her younger years, mom joined the ANAF Ladies Auxiliary, spending many years helping out with catering functions and events. She also sat on the Executive in several roles, including President of the Auxiliary. During this time, mom also played ball for the ANAF Scarletts. Mom was also a member of the Legion for many years and sat on the Legion executive as well. She helped to run the Friday Night Meat Draws and distributed Poppy Boxes for Remembrance Day. Recently, when Covid restrictions relaxed, mom was invited to come out again for Saturday afternoon darts at the Legion. It was the highlight of her week!
When mom was younger and dad was still living, they enjoyed many road trips travelling to visit family in the Lenswood and Calgary areas. They also travelled to Inuvik, NWT when Bev and Keith lived there and to Greece. After dad passed, mom joined her friend Val on a guided tour of New Zealand and Australia. Mom was quickly on board to travel to the Mayan Riviera for Keith and Penny’s wedding. She also enjoyed a trip to Las Vegas with family and a couple of trips to the Puerto Vallarta area with her nieces Sheila and Brenda. Later, mom enjoyed several bus excursions to casinos in the US and Manitoba.
Spending time with family was mom’s greatest joy. Family dinners meant lots of visiting and lots of eating; the more, the merrier. She was a proud grandma attending band concerts, musical theatre, dance recitals, hockey, soccer and baseball games. She was so pleased to be able to travel with Brad to her sister Florence’s 90th birthday in Calgary, where she got to see so many family members that she hadn’t seen in recent times. Mom visited often with nieces and nephews in person and by phone, loving getting caught up with all the family news. She was always willing to help out if someone needed a hand. Her door was always open to family and friends alike.
In March, mom moved to Dufferin Villa, the newly-opened assisted living residence in Portage. She enjoyed meeting her new neighbours and especially liked getting to know the younger staff who were working there. As with many seniors, the social isolation of Covid had been hard on mom and the congregate living environment gave her the opportunity to see more people on a daily basis. It is our one regret that she did not get to enjoy her new home for longer.
As per Shirley’s wishes, a private burial service has been held. Should family or friends wish, donations to Central Plains Cancer Services, 318 Sask. Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8, would be appreciated.
Never far from thought, Always in our heart.
Messages of condolences can be made online at www.omegafuneralhome.com.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Shirley Mabel Henderson May 1 1937 July 12 2022 (age 85)..
Death notice for the town of: Portage-la-Prairie, Province: Manitoba