SHIRLEY ANN WELLS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

SHIRLEY ANN WELLS

February 22, 1943 -

December 31, 2023

In Loving Memory of Shirley Ann Wells, age 80, who died December 31, 2023 at Boissevain Health Centre, Boissevain, Manitoba. Interment will take place at Goodlands Cemetery. Donations in memory of Shirley may be made to the Deloraine Health Centre Palliative Care, Deloraine, Manitoba R0M 0M0 or to a charity of one’s choice.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents Errol and Kay Berry, and grandparents Ed and Bertha Berry, and Michael and Margaret (Peggy) Byrne. She leaves to mourn her husband Keith, sons Jeff (Melanie), and Bob, grandchildren Connor and Philippe, and sisters Lynne (Bill) Bickford and Sheila (Chris) Chartrand. Sisters-in-law Janet (Keith) Muirhead, Elizabeth (Gerry) Waroway and Carol (Clay) Rowley, numerous nieces, nephews and special friends.

Shirley Ann Wells was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She celebrated her Irish heritage. She was proud, stubborn, and had a temper. She was fun and leaned over when she laughed. She believed in equality. She was a fantastic cook (with the occasional flop she blamed on her oven) and a late-in-life sipper of wine. She was a two-time cancer survivor who used her extra years to support those in palliative care. She spoiled her grandchildren… and others, and loved her community. She was brave.

Born in Reston, Manitoba to Errol and Kay Berry on February 22, 1943 Shirley was the eldest daughter of three girls. She moved to Carberry with her family after her father purchased a business which was soon to be Berry’s Hardware. After completing grade 11 at Carberry Public School and Collegiate, she attended Brandon Business College to become a secretary. Soon after completing her studies, she accepted a proposal from Keith Wells (Wellwood) and the young couple were wed on August 4, 1962. Together, they had two children: Jeff (1964) and Bob (1968). Shirley and Keith briefly lived and worked in Carberry, Brandon, and Glenboro before moving to the farm of Larry and Nola Meggison in July of 1966. In the autumn of 1968, Shirley and Keith moved their young family to the farm they had purchased on the NW 1/4 of 19-1-23 where they would remain for 32 years. After selling the farm in 2000, Shirley and Keith retired to Lake Metigoshe where she would spend her remaining years.

Shirley worked for Omega Hydrocarbons in Waskada and Edwards Sales and Service in Deloraine, but her secretary position at Waskada School was her most fulfilling role, where students and teachers alike became lifelong friends. She always enjoyed working with the public and her love of children made this a perfectly suited job.

In the earlier years, Shirley thoroughly enjoyed community activities including the Goodlands Winter Sports Club snowmobile rallies and socials, dancing, supporting the Cubs baseball team, volunteering at the Goodlands rink and Fall Suppers at the United Church.

Shirley was a voracious reader. In her retirement at Lake Metigoshe, she indulged in her passion for books and her beloved Book Club with the girls. She cherished those times and spoke of them often. Shirley spent many hours tending to her flower beds, and potted plants, and feeding the Blue Jay’s, Hummingbirds, and Orioles from the front deck.

As she had in Goodlands, Shirley became an integral part of the community and devoted much of her time and energy to the Lake Improvement Association. She believed in community, friendship, and family.

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

A public service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. June 25, 2024 at the Goodlands Community Hall.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 08, 2024, Jun 08, 2024