SHIRLEY ANNE MCELREA (HARKNESS) (PACKER)

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SHIRLEY ANNE MCELREA
(HARKNESS) (nee PACKER)
June 28, 1930 - April 6, 2022

After a slow, gentle decline, our Mom passed away peacefully in Winnipeg, with daughters by her side.
She was gregarious, articulate, intelligent and determined. She loved animals, Scrabble, bread, quilts and especially, children. After growing up on a farm with four sisters and one brother, she always preferred country living and a busy home. At the age of 35 she went back to school to become qualified as a social worker while raising eight children and fostering many others. She worked for Child and Family Services of Eastern Manitoba for many years. Because she had so much spare time, she was active in 4-H and involved with horse shows where she rode in some classes and announced events. In retirement, she participated in expeditions across the prairies by horse and wagon or on horseback, camping out along the way. She also took piano and organ lessons, led an exercise group, sang in the local church choir and spent time with her grandchildren. She always welcomed guests with open arms and usually insisted she sleep on the floor to give visitors her bed.
She was much loved by her family and friends and will be remembered as a "force of nature."
Her son Douglas passed away in 2020, leaving her sons, Jeff (Shirley), Andrew, Ian and Greg along with her daughters, Denise (David), Sherry (Gordon), Wendy (Lew), and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews to mourn her passing. She is also survived by her sisters, Joyce and Ardythe (Bob) and her brother David (Donna).
Cremation has taken place. Arrangements for a private funeral service are pending.
Those who wish to do so can make donations to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba in her memory.

Condolences may be sent to www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 23, 2022