SHIRLEY VERNIECE SINCLAIR

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SHIRLEY VERNIECE SINCLAIR

September 26, 1930 – May 25, 2024

On May 25 of her 94th year at Victoria Hospice.

I’ll start at the end: Shirley moved from Winnipeg to Victoria, BC just in time to celebrate her 92nd birthday. She embarked on one last adventure to join us on Vancouver Island. She made new friends, loved her suite, and explored her favourite spots.

This year was tough, and she faced many health challenges. She said “growing old isn’t for wimps” and soldiered on. But she was always master of the dramatic rebound and managed a final act.

Her infectious laugh returned. She visited friends, loved her new (petite) wardrobe and her standing appointment at the hairdresser. She made the most of her time and went out on her own terms.

Shirley was born in the village of Sidney, MB, growing up during the depression. Named after Shirley Temple, she was a red-headed tomboy with an easy laugh and sharp temper. Baby sister to four farm boys, she toughened up quickly and never suffered fools gladly.

At 18 Shirley moved to Winnipeg after her father passed. She worked at Manitoba Telephones helping her mother make ends meet. She answered the phone in her “operator voice” right til the end.

In 1950, she met the love of her life, Alex, at a skating rink. “Hey Red, can I buy you a coffee” his opening line. Four years later they married, and as was customary at the time (so she told me), she left her job and began her new career as a homemaker. She relished her new life as dog mom, Cub pack leader, and volunteer. She pitched for her softball team and discovered her love of bowling.

Shirley was a stay-at-home mom and the bedrock of our family. She deftly managed my dad, the dogs, and me. After Al retired, they were blessed with decades to travel, visit friends, and enjoy the cottage.

Shirley loved to laugh and loved crazy adventures. She and BFF Ruth performed as clowns for years, culminating with a dubious performance at a federal penitentiary. She thought it would be hilarious to learn to drive manual transmission by embarking on a 2000 km road trip with beloved sister-in-law Grace. Dad and I watched them pull away and stall, howls of laughter erupting from the little Datsun.

In her final years Shirley was supported by an amazing health care team and she loved them all. They would stop in for tea, share stories about their families, and tell her she didn’t look her age. They enabled her to attain her goal of staying in her suite as long as possible. Their efforts were a blessing.

Shirley is lovingly remembered by (son) Scott Sinclair, (daughter-in-law) Connie Boutet and (grand-dog) Lucas. We are now packing up her infernal Pendelfin collection so friends and family watch your mailboxes.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 15, 2024, Jun 15, 2024