SHIRLEY DOREEN SPURRILL

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SHIRLEY DOREEN SPURRILL

(nee HINCHLIFFE)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shirley Doreen Spurrill, (nee Hinchliffe) beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt. Shirley passed away peacefully on Monday, June 17, 2024 at Hillcrest Personal Care Home, in Brandon, Manitoba. She was surrounded by her family, with their memories, and with their love as she went to meet her husband Frank in heaven. She was 92 years 4 months old.

Shirley was born on February 17, 1932 at Bowsman, Manitoba. She was the first child for parents Mary Isobel Walmsley and Donald Hinchliffe (birth name Andrew Oliver Pouvey). Her first home was north of the village of Bowsman where she lived until she was 7, at which time the family moved into town. Shirley was later joined by siblings Beverly (deceased in infancy), Allan, Mervyn, Lois, Ken, and Donna.

Shirley started school at the age of 7, and walked over a mile each way to the Bowsman Union School, where she stayed until the completion of grade 11. She loved school, and continued to be a lifelong reader until her passing. When she was in grade 2, the teacher taught all the girls how to knit, and they knit for the Red Cross. The lesson involved knitting on 2 or 4 needles, and they also learned how to follow a knitting pattern. Shirley continued to knit for over 80 years, presenting many of her mittens to Christmas Cheer in Brandon. When she completed grade 11, which was the end of her school years in Bowsman, her original plan was to enroll in nursing, which would take her to Portage La Prairie for training. With all preparations made for the move, she suddenly changed her mind! She spent that year working at the drug store in Bowsman. In 1950, she ventured out to The Pas, Manitoba to work in the Clearwater Sanitorium, which was a treatment center for patients suffering from tuberculosis. She lived in the dormitory and worked on the wards for a year, and then came an opportunity to move to the Manitoba Sanitorium located in Ninette, Manitoba, on the shores of Pelican Lake. She then ventured into southern Manitoba, to the area which would become her forever home. It was there, in the village of Ninette, on the shores of Pelican Lake, where she met a handsome young man, by the name of Frank Spurrill. Shirley took Frank home to meet the Hinchliffe family, and on August 21, 1954, they were married in Holy Family Catholic Church in Bowsman. They honeymooned at Clear Lake on the way home. They moved to the village of Dunrea into a small rental home. As was the tradition at the time, Shirley quit her job and became involved in looking after her home and family. Their first child, Beverly Mary, was born on June 23, 1956. Several other moves were made through the years, north of Dunrea to the Patterson farm, into Dunrea to the Beaupre house, south of Dunrea to the Armstrong farm, and in 1966, purchasing a home on Main Street in Dunrea, then lastly in 1988 back into a smaller retirement home in Dunrea. During this time the family grew to a total of 5 children, Linda Jean (1959) Joyce Catherine (1960) Gail Patricia (1967) and Brian Francis (1968). Shirley continued to stay at home to look after her family, and since Frank worked away, and Shirley didn’t have a driver’s license, there was no choice in the matter. She spent her time cooking, knitting, baking, tending to her garden, and trying to think of ways to keep the kids out of trouble. One memory comes from the farm that had a big dugout. Each winter, she would clean an area so that the 3 girls could skate. She would take an axe and check the thickness of the ice ensuringit was safe. Next, she would assist with putting on skates, and then skating would begin as a way to burn off some energy. When the family moved back into town, she became involved with volunteering at the local rink, helping with the church fall supper, acting as a 4-H leader, and working for a short time at the local post office.

In 1974, Shirley and Frank purchased the Esso bulk oil station in Dunrea from Imperial Oil. Together, they would operate the business until 1984, when it was amalgamated with the Killarney agency. Shirley acted as receptionist and stayed in the office while Frank worked the fuel/fertilizer side of the operation.

As Frank and Shirley began their semi retirement, the focus changed to travel, grandchildren, and leisure activities. Shirley was a member of Riverside New Horizons group and served on the executive for several years in different capacities. She was a regular quilter at the center and did this on a weekly basis until moving to Brandon. She went for weekly lunches and to the hairdresser with her good friend and neighbor, Connie MacDonald. It was like a girls day out for them.

She loved to travel, and in 1982, Frank and Shirley were awarded a trip from Imperial Oil in recognition of increases in sales. They choose an Alaskan bus/cruise vacation. Shirley was speechless with the vast amount of land in Alaska. As a couple, they travelled to Vancouver Island, California, Arizona and Florida on bus tours. When Frank suffered a stroke in 2001, they moved into Colonial Estates Apartments in Brandon to be closer to healthcare. Sadly, he passed away on Aug 27, 2002 at the age of 72. Shirley continued to live in her Dunrea home during the summer, and then would move into her Brandon apartment for the winter. In 2018, she sold her home in Dunrea and moved permanently to Brandon. For close to 20 years, she travelled west to Victoria BC for a month each winter with a travel group from McPhail Travel. She formed many friendships through her travels. She visited the British Isles in 2009 touring Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. She also traveled coast to coast in Canada, including traveling to Churchill, on via rail, where she experienced seeing the polar bears in Hudson Bay, and boated alongside hundreds of beluga whales. She vacationed in Jamaica where she attended grand-daughter Joni and Jason’s wedding in 2015. She was a regular attendee to Folklorama and to Rainbow Stage in Winnipeg.

In Brandon, Shirley became familiar with all the bus routes, and the bus took her to the library, to Seniors for Seniors, and to Nifty Needlers. She also loved to play bingo at Colonial Estates.

Shirley was always on the move, and was a dedicated walker. Each day she would walk from her apartment to McDonald’s for coffee with her senior friends.

Shirley loved and supported her children throughout her life. She gave them encouragement in all their ventures. This continued with her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She attended many special events in their lives. This included birthday parties, school concerts, sporting events, graduations, and weddings. She absolutely lit up when her great grandchildren came to visit.

Shirley remained in her apartment until February 2023, when she was hospitalized due to health concerns. Homecare was in place for a return home, however concerns about her ability to live on her own resulted in her move into personal care. She spent 6 months in the Assiniboine Center, and then moved to her final home at Hillcrest Personal Care Home in August of 2023.

She passed away on Monday June 17, 2024 at her Hillcrest home. She will be missed and cherished by many, but especially her family. She is survived by her family; Beverly (Russell) Papegnies, Linda (Ron) Lyons, Joyce (Darrell) Bercier, Gail Spurrill (Tim Hinton), and Brian (Cindy) Spurrill. She is survived by 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Derek (Lisa) Papegnies, Joni (Jason) Vinnell , Eve and Madden, Shaun (Rachal) Lyons, Kevin (Erica) Lyons, Emmet and Austin. Jordan (Tasha) Bercier, Julianne Bercier (Braeden McBurney), Taryn and Talysha Hinton, and Taylor Spurrill.

She is survived by 2 sisters, Lois Stechishen, Edmonton AB and Donna (Allan) Higgs of Winnipeg. Surviving in laws include John Spurrill, Josie Bazin, Alice (Henry) Polk, Ed (Dolores) Spurrill, Doreen Turnbull and Sherry Hinchliffe.

She is predeceased by her parents Mary and Donald Hinchliffe, her in-laws, Francis and Augusta Spurrill, her siblings Allan (Ann), Mervyn (Lois), Ken Hinchliffe and in laws, Sally Spurrill, Loretta (Leo) Langlois, Fernie Bazin, Alan Turnbull and Len Stechishen.

A private family interment has taken place at St Felix Cemetery in Dunrea, MB. A public memorial reception was held on Monday , June 24 in Ninette, MB.

The family would like to thank everyone for their support at this sad time. Thank you to the many neighbors and friends that made it possible for mom to remain in her home in Dunrea and in her apartment in Brandon. Thank you to the dedicated healthcare professionals at Assiniboine Center and at Hillcrest Personal Care Home who looked after mom so well during the past year. We appreciate the care, concern and compassion that you have shown to us on her passing.

For those so wishing, donations may be made in Shirley’s memory to the Brandon Humane Society, 2200-17th Street East, Brandon MB, R7A 7M6; or to the Brandon Seniors for Seniors, 311 Park Ave East, Brandon, MB, R7A 7A4.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 29, 2024, Jun 29, 2024