Shirley PHAIR

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PHAIR: Shirley Edith French was born December 14, 1932, to John and Dorothy French in Toronto, Ontario. Shirley was the eldest of five children. Being the oldest, she took on the role of helping to raise her brother and sisters. At 15 she worked at the Adam’s Chiclet Factory and later at the Avro Arrow plant, buffing the engine blades on the new Arrow jets. In 1952 Shirley married Howard Phair. Their marriage of 56 years brought her so much joy. She and Howard, along with Howard’s brother Richard, owned and operated a thriving store in Pierson, Manitoba. Shirley loved to work at the store and especially enjoyed visiting with the customers. After 46 years of making Pierson their home, Shirley and Howard retired to Souris, Manitoba. Shirley made many wonderful friends everywhere she lived. She was a friend to all who knew her. She loved family visits, socializing with friends, and she was fascinated at the beauty of our prairie skies and fields, and the wildlife she would see during the many drives her and Howard took in the country. Shirley loved to bake. Every Christmas, for many, many years, she made up parcels of baking to give to those who may be lonely and to those she wished to say Thank-you. After a short, but courageous battle with cancer, Shirley passed away peacefully on February 18, 2009, at Souris Hospital, her loving family by her side. Shirley was predeceased by her mother and father, sisters Ada and Beverly, great-granddaughter Rilynn Duncalfe, as well as a number of brother and sister-in-laws. She leaves to mourn, her beloved husband Howard, her loving children, Tammy (Randy) McCannell, Cathy (Wayne) Suski, Michael (Tracy) Phair, grandchildren Marcy (Grant) Duncalfe, Chad McCannell, Jared Phair, Abby Phair, Colby Suski and Carter Suski, and great-grandson Daylan Duncalfe. A funeral to celebrate Shirley’s life was held at St. Paul’s United Church in Souris, Manitoba on February 23, 2009, with Reverend John Oldenkamp officiating. Shirley had a loving, compassionate heart, was full of jokes and laughter and unconditional love for her family and friends. If friends so desire, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, c/o Kowalchuk’s Funeral Home, Souris, Manitoba, R0K 2C0.

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 28, 2009