Shirley Patricia Engstrom

It is with a heavy heart and much sadness we announce Shirley was able to pass peacefully in her own home with her family at her side after a short but courageous battle with lung cancer.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 59 years Richard, her sons Douglas (Charlene), Donald, Grandsons Troy (Kayleigh), Brody, Granddaughter Brookelyn (Alexander), Great Grandsons Levi, Nash and Rory. Shirley is also survived by her Brother Robert (Sylvia), Sisters Hazel, Dorothy (Bob), Brother in Law Attila and numerous loving Nieces and Nephews.

Shirley was predeceased by her Father Adam, Mother Margaret, Sister Gail and Brother in Law Chum.

Shirley grew up in the Elmwood area and believed that her life truly began while attending Elmwood High School where she met and fell in love with Richard.

Rick and Shirley were married on February 19th, 1966, still one of the coldest days on record in Manitoba followed shortly after by the historic blizzard of 1966. Like everything in her path, Shirley viewed these inconveniences as obstacles and there was no obstacle put in her path that she was not able to overcome.

Shirley was the ultimate Mother, dedicating her life to the well-being and betterment of her family. Sunday morning breakfasts featuring Grannies pancakes were a staple in the Engstrom household for her entire life.

Shirley had a variety of careers during her life mainly in the accounting fields. For six years, Rick and Shirley ran their own small business. Shirley finished her working life at the C.R.A., retiring in 2009.

Shirley enjoyed her summers spent with family at the family cottage on Blindfold Lake or cruising the waters of Lake of the Woods in one of the various cabin cruisers her and Rick owned over the years. It was during those cruises on Lake of he Woods that Shirley and Rick met many kindred spirits who became lifelong friends. Many more friends were made during her time volunteering with the Aquarium Society of Winnipeg as part of the tropical fish hobby she shared with Rick.

Shirley and Rick enjoyed Ocean Cruising and took many cruises covering most parts of the world. The most special of these many cruises were the ones when Shirley would bring her entire family along for the cruise. There was nothing that brought more joy to Shirley’s life than to be surrounded by her family.

In retirement Shirley and Rick became snowbirds or more accurately Winter Texans, spending their winters in Pharr, Texas. Many enjoyable days and evenings were spent playing cards and attending music jams with the many friends they made over the years.

The diagnosis of lung cancer came as a shock to the entire family as Shirley was seldom ill and had been a non-smoker since 1971. Shirley’s terminal diagnosis was her final obstacle and if she wasn’t going to be able to overcome this obstacle, she was going to face it with grace and dignity and on her own terms. Her final days were spent enjoying time with all of her immediate family who gathered to celebrate an early Christmas so she had one more Christmas with her family.

The family would like to extend a thank you to all the staff of the Steinbach CancerCare program for their kind care of Shirley during her immunotherapy. The family would also like to acknowledge the extraordinary compassion and guidance provided by Palliative program nurse Marni who helped us manage the process of keeping Shirley home during this journey.

In accordance with Shirley’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held November 27th at 11:00 am at Niverville Community Fellowship, 85 2nd Street South, Niverville.

In lieu of flowers Shirley asked that donations in her name be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the CNIB Guide Dog Program.