EVA SHIRTLIFF (FRIESEN)

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EVA SHIRTLIFF (FRIESEN) August 8, 1918 - May 11, 2012 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Eva Shirtliff. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the Victoria General Hospital. Our mother lived a long life and was in strong health until the very end. Eva is survived by her children, Dorothy Glover, Frederick Howard, George (special friend Myles Middleton), Richard (Lina), Brian (Shirley), Dale. Also mourning her loss are her siblings, Edwin Friesen (Rita), Clifford Friesen (Anne) and Eileen Wiebe (Walter). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Shawn (Peter Bobrowski), Hayley Shirtliffe (Jey Sanmuganathan), Tracey Manduca (Jim), Laura, Thomas (Serena), Melissa (Damian King), Jennifer (Steven Moon), Roger Charette, Ricky Charette (Wendy), Angela (John Danyluk), and great-grandchildren, Tanya, Luba, Alicia, Ari, Noah, Landon, Austin, Grace, Brittany, Bronti, Brett, Mara, Chantal, and Alexa. Eva was predeceased by her husband Frederick, her brother Arthur and her sisters Kathleen, Annie, Clara, Mabel, and Viola. Eva was born and raised in Springfield, Saskatchewan, and spent her early years on her father's farm. The family moved to the Starbuck, Manitoba, area in 1936, where she worked on various farms as a housekeeper. Most notably was the farm of Fred Shirtliff Sr. where she met Frederick. They were married on July 25, 1940. Fred and Eva operated a mixed farm in the Elm Bank school district. Here they raised their family and were active in the local community. Those who knew Mother will remember her passion for art, crafts, quilting, scrabble, collecting dolls, and composing poetry. She even published a collection of her own poems in 2005. Eva was always involved in the community; she was a 4H club leader and was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church (Starbuck), participating in the L.C.W. and the choir. Mother cared for Freddie through his lengthy illness until his death in 1971. After his passing, she moved to Starbuck and she found more time to travel. Her journeys took her to the mountains of British Columbia, the far north of Alaska and to the Maritime provinces. A number of the poems in her collection were inspired by her travels. Her funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16 at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 43 River Ave. in Starbuck, MB. Interment will follow at the Starbuck Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staffs of the Lindenwood Manor and Harmony Court Riverwood Square for their care. A special thank you to the staff at the Victoria Hospital. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the Victoria General Hospital Foundation Fund 2340 Pembina Highway, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2E8 Adam's Funeral Home of Notre Dame, Manitoba in care of arrangements. Phone 248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326. www.afh.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 14, 2012