April 1, 1930 – December 23, 2022
It is with great sadness we mourn the passing of our mother Shirley Margaret Marie Miller (nee Pentland ) of Bowden, Alberta on December 23, 2022.
Shirley was born in Brandon, Manitoba on April 1,1930, the youngest child of Harry and Irene (nee Fleming) Pentland. She spoke often of growing up with her older brother, sister and 45 first cousins and valued visiting them as an adult.
Shirley met Ernest Miller when they both attended Brandon College and they married in 1951. Ernie and Shirley moved often in his career as a Geologist. They lived at various times in Balgonie and Regina, Saskatchewan, Oklahoma, California, Texas and Calgary, Alberta. Shirley was a connector who made and nurtured friendships in all the places she lived, maintaining them through visits, letters, emails and phone calls throughout her life. She was a lifelong volunteer, volunteering at schools and churches wherever they moved, and spent many years as a Board member of Bethany Care Society in Calgary, Cochrane and Airdrie. Along with Ernie, she was a steward of the virgin land of Meadowmist farm.
Shirley was pre-deceased by her husband Ernie in December of 2010.
She is survived by her children Richard, Alan (Lana), Stephen (Chellan Hoffman), and Heidi (Kevin Zerr), as well as grandchildren, Joel, Erin, Justin and Vanessa (Raja Brahmakshatriya). She is also survived by great grandchildren, Mikhael and Sparrow Layton Miller and Ariadne Brahmakshatriya, and many nieces and nephews.
Shirley is particularly remembered for organizing summer family reunions on the Bowden farm and hosting family and friends in her various homes. Her welcoming presence will be greatly missed. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.
