Shirley KRAWCHUK

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KRAWCHUK: Shirley Merrell Krawchuk, May 25, 1936 - January 9, 2020. Shirley (nee Brownridge) passed away peacefully at the age 83 on Thursday, January 9, 2020 at the Assiniboine Centre following a lengthy hospitalization. Shirley was born in Rapid City, MB on May 25, 1936 to Harold and Marguerite Brownridge (nee Merrell). She was the second youngest of nine children. Only one sister Gwen, whom she was very close to, remains to mourn her passing along with several nieces and nephews. The Brownridge family farmed north of Brandon in and around the Forrest, MB district. Her favorite chore was to collect the eggs and she often remarked that if she couldn’t be found, her mother would look for her in the hen house. She loved chickens! When the family gave up farming they moved to Brandon where she met the love of her life, John Krawchuk. They were married on October 18, 1952 and raised three daughters: Marlene, Karen and Beverlee. She was a stay at home mom and fostered children when her own were young. When her girls were older and in school, she became an employee of the Brandon Mental Health Centre, working first as a nurses aide and later in the lab where she quickly learned on the job to test water samples, draw blood and perform other laboratory functions. After retiring from the lab, John and Shirley bought an acreage near Onanole, MB where they built their dream home, grew a huge garden and raised pheasants and Bantam chickens. She even had names for all the chickens which she endearingly shared with the grandchildren while showing them how to cradle a chicken in their arms! Many Clear Lake cottage owners visited her garden to purchase fresh produce, berries and cut flowers. She was known for having a green thumb and her houseplants, vegetables and flowers thrived under her care and nurturing. John and Shirley were inseparable. In their retirement years, they enjoyed camping in their RV and visited as many provincial parks and summer festivals as they could for many years. Together they explored park trails, cycling in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter until health conditions surfaced that made her slow down. John and Shirley returned to Brandon in 2006. They retained friendships with their Clear Lake - Onanole crew and made new friends, especially upon moving into Falcon Ridge Estates where Shirley took a lead role in organizing a ladies’ card group, teaching her new friends several variations of rummy and other games. Shirley was a talented knitter, remembered for knitting sweaters for all her nine grandchildren on Christmas. She liked to keep her mind sharp doing crossword puzzles and cryptograms. She was spunky and witty with a loving, caring heart and huge smile. She will be deeply missed by John, her husband of 67 years, her daughters: Marlene (Rob), Karen (Wayne) and Beverlee (Jim), her grandchildren: Mark (Tanya-Louise), Jason (Barbara), Jeffrey (Michelle), Karlee (James), Ashley (Rick), Kelsey (Kyle), Lindsay (James), Douglas, Leeanna (Mark), and her great grandchildren: Sydney, Rori, Benjamin, Natalie, Jordan, Hayden, Aria, Liam and Anna. Shirley was predeceased by her parents Harold and Marguerite, siblings: Jean, Audrey, Bill, John, Mary, Keith and Murray, and grandson Ryan. Respecting her wishes, there will be no funeral. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held in the future. Donations in memory of Shirley may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, Palliative Care or a charity of choice.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 18, 2020