SHELA BEAULIEU (MCMURTRY)

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SHELA BEAULIEU (nee MCMURTRY) Peacefully, Shela Beaulieu passed away from chronic kidney failure at Riverview Health Centre on Friday, November 28, 2008. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Pete, in 1972, granddaughter, Andrea, in 1971 and son-in-law, Richard Canty, in 2003. Shela leaves to mourn her daughters, Shirley Canty (late Richard) of Winnipeg, Annette Clawson and son-in-law, Ed Clawson, of Cleveland, Ohio. Five grandchildren also survive her: Leanne Canty (Chris Barrett), Linda Canty (George Sapak), Peter Clawson, David Clawson (Kate Goss) and Regan Clawson (Peter Campen). Shela was also blessed with four great-grandchildren: Teaghan and Nolan Canty-Sapak, Cicely Campen and Lucy Clawson. Shela was born July 29, 1925, in Carrickfergus, Ireland, and arrived in England at the age of three weeks. She grew up in the village of Slinfold with a foster mother and two foster sisters under the Waif and Stray Program. It was not an easy time, but Shela persevered and made the best of it, as she did all of her life. She had to support herself from the age of 14 and later served in the British Land Army during the Second World War, working very hard on a farm, seven days a week. Shela met Pete, a soldier in the Second Signal Corps, Canadian Army, at a dance and even though she resisted it was love at first sight . They were married in Horsham, Sussex in 1943. Shela, and their infant daughter Shirley, came to Canada to join Pete in 1946. They came over on the Queen Mary to Halifax, by train to Manitoba, and by car to the town of Emerson, Pete's hometown. Shela often spoke about how welcoming and gracious her in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Beaulieu, were. Shela was a very proud War Bride and was so pleased to be honoured in 2007, the year of the War Brides, both with a plaque presented by MLA Jake Epp, and at the ceremonies held at the Legislature. Pete and Shela purchased the Emerson Journal in 1952, a weekly newspaper and job printing shop, and they ran it until 1967. They sold the subscription list to the Carillon News, but moved the printing business to the basement of their home on Morris Street. After Pete passed away, Shela carried on with the Sports Pool part of the business that Pete had begun, until she retired at the age of 72. Shela lived in her home in Emerson until a broken ankle slowed her down in 2006 and she moved to the Westhaven in Winnipeg where she could be close to Shirley and Leanne. Shela loved and cherished her immediate family and was fond of spoiling them with her little envelopes, and paper clips. She was known for her friendliness and cheer by all who knew her. She enjoyed all animals and talked often of Tiny and Churchill, who were the dogs she owned into their old age. She loved being at her home in Emerson when the Purple Martins returned every spring to her birdhouses. She enjoyed trips to the zoo and watching her grandchildren interact with the animals. Shela will be remembered for her strength, independence and love of her family. As she requested, Shela's remains have been cremated and interred in the family plot in Emerson, and private family remembrances will take place in Alberta and Cleveland to honour her memory. Shela also stated that she would like any donations in her memory to be sent to the Emerson Volunteer Fire Department as follows: Fire Department / Town of Emerson, 104 Church Street, Emerson, Manitoba R0A 0L0, ph: (204) 373-2335, in recognition of her gratitude for saving the family home many years ago. Sincere thanks are extended to the staff at both the The Westhaven and the Riverview Health Centre. Shela requested the following be included: AFTERGLOW I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one, I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times and laughing times and bright sunny days, I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun Of happy memories that I've left now my life is done. Arrangements are entrusted to: Wiebe Funeral Home (Altona) Ltd. 204-324-5404

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 03, 2008