Obituary of Shirley Louise Smith

SMITH: Shirley Louise Smith (Thompson) passed away February 14, 2019 at Fairview Nursing Home. Shirley was born in 1923 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, and was raised in Yellowgrass. Predeceased by her husband Doug Smith in 2009, parents Russell and Louisa Thompson, sisters Jen Snell (Fred) and infant Maxine, sisters-in-law Bessie McAuley (Ed) and Dorothy Pontifex (Carl). After graduation, Shirley moved to Regina where she was employed as a bank teller. Mom was extremely proud of her Saskatchewan heritage. In 1944, she met RCAF pilot trainee Doug, the love of her life, who she married in 1945 and they were soulmates for sixty-four years. They moved to the family farm at Oak Lake where they became successful farmers, working hard in the community while raising four children; Gerald (Lynne Bailey), Janice (Leonard) Slobodian, Jo-Anne (Mervyn) Schappert and Sally (lan) Shepherd. Mom loved her children's spouses as her own. Also mourning her loss are ten grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren, brother-in-law Maurice (Barbara) Smith and several nieces and nephews. Not born on a farm, Mom had to learn the routine of being a farm wife during the early years. She persevered and worked hard to make the family she loved thrive. Always gracious, she hosted many family reunions and dinner parties with friends. During retirement, Shirley and Doug were snowbirds travelling to the southern states and later, B.C. They visited many countries, including Wales – her mother's homeland. She is remembered for her beautiful singing voice, generosity, and community involvement including St. David's and Oak Lake United Churches, choir leader, volunteer ambulance attendant, Branch #79 Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Oak Lake Agricultural Society, Oak Lake Golf Club, curling and all round good sport. She will be lovingly missed by her family. A Celebration of Shirley's Life will be held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Craig Miller officiating. Interment will follow at the Johnston Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Oak Lake & Area Foundation, Box 133, Oak Lake, MB, R0M 1P0.