1933 – 2024
Shirley Thomas of Innisfail, Alberta passed away at the Innisfail Health Centre on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at the age of 90 years.
She was born in Provost, Alberta to Pearl and Percy Stewart on December 18, 1933. Shirley was the third of eight children. She took her schooling at Hartlip School and graduated from Hughenden High in 1952.
Shirley worked at the Provost Hospital for a short time and that is where she met her husband, Ernie Thomas. They went on to have seven children, Gene, Lorraine, Murray, Wade, Barry, David and Roxanna. Shirley taught sewing through the Department of Agriculture for fifteen years as well as taught ceramics for twelve years. She worked with the Hazeldell 4H Club, the Caroline Cub Scouts, Stauffer Sewing Circle, Stauffer Youth Club and the Stauffer Community Club. Shirley also worked at the Pioneer Store and the Caroline Post Office in Caroline, Alberta. Her and her husband moved to Sicamous, British Columbia for two years but retuned to Stauffer, Alberta.
Shirley and Ernie travelled British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan. They spent one winter in the United States (that was enough). She was a member of the 55 plus club, where she entered the craft section and won several ribbons and metals. Her carpet bowling team won the bronze medal in the 2013 winter games. Shirley was a crafter at heart, some of the crafts being porcelain dolls for her granddaughters, carvings for her grandsons, all kinds of needle work, quilting, stained glass, painting and even carpenter work building sets of cupboards. She loved sports, she carpet bowled, stick curled, played mini golf and walking.
Shirley is lovingly remembered by her children, Gene (Candice), Lorraine (Vic), Murray, Wade, David (Reagan), Roxanna. She will also be deeply missed by her fourteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren, her siblings, Rita, Doreen, Leonard and Joe.
Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Ernie, her son, Barry, her granddaughter, Samantha, her daughters-in-law, Sheila and Nena, her son-in-law, Gildo, her two sisters, Irene and Maxine, her brothers-in-law, Harold, Earl, Lloyd, Bill as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Shirley’s Life will be held at the Spruce View Community Hall, 2127, AB-54, Spruce View, Alberta, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
The family has requested, Memorial Donations in lieu of flowers as there is a flower allergy within the family. Memorial Donations in Shirley’s honor may be made directly to the Ladies Auxiliary Centre at 5023 42 St, Innisfail, Alberta, T4G1A9 or to the Ronald McDonald House Charities at rmhcalberta.org. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006
