Shirley Case

The service will also be livestreamed, please click on the link to register to view. https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=02c14efd-1bf7-4557-8bc6-b9a16ab060e7

Shirley Case, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, writer and community figure passed on December 27, with her devoted husband of nearly 70 years by her side.

Left to treasure her memory are her husband Lester Case, daughter Sandra, granddaughter Amanda (Kevin), great-grandchildren Simon, Sophie, Audrey, daughter Shelley (Larry), grandson Scott (Kimberly), great-grandchildren Everett, Reese, Gavin, grandson Cameron (Roxanne), great-grandchildren Madelyn, Hailey, granddaughter Kelsey (Matthew) great-grandchildren Dean, Grant, son Brian (Patti) granddaughter Kayla (Brian) great-grandson Felix, grandson Kyle (Blessing), brother-in-law Bill (Lesia), sister-in-law Linda (Mike), sister-in-law Cheryl (Garry) and many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

She was predeceased by her daughter Catherine, parents Hector and Agnes (Yuill) Wishart, brother Melville and sister Isabelle, in-laws Stan and Ruth Case, brother-in-law Frank and his wife Carol.

Born February 9, 1932, she spent her entire life in the Portage la Prairie area. She lived on the family farm north of Portage until she left in 1950 to attend Normal School. Once a certified teacher, she spent 35 years enriching the lives of children at the Salem, Sunnyside, South Ridge, Elm River, Oakville, Yellowquill and Harold Edwards Schools. Long after her retirement, former students regularly contacted her to express their appreciation for her teaching.

Shirley was an incredibly hard-working, dedicated, loving and generous person who touched the lives of so many. What she could accomplish in a day was remarkable! While working full-time, raising a family, gardening, being a farm wife and delivering meals to the field in the fall, she managed to graduate with a Bachelor of Education. The first in her family to do so!  She often remarked how she graduated from university and became a first-time grandmother at age 50. Two big events in her life in the same year!

After her retirement in 1986, she redoubled her involvement in her community. She was a member of the board of directors at the Lions Prairie Manor, Lions Prairie Manor Foundation and the Herman Prior Centre where she began writing articles and crossword puzzles for Senior Scene, published by Vopni Press.  She had numerous poems or stories published in the Country Guide, the Manitoba Cooperator, Grainews, Our Family and Reader’s Digest. She even won a Winnipeg Free Press writing contest. Her love for writing led her to join the Prairie Pens where she was fondly known as the “Punctuation Guru”. With the encouragement of members of this group she went on to publish three books and countless poems for her family to treasure.  She also became an active member in the Farm Women’s group where she organized meetings and spearheaded a successful campaign to reduce the tax rate on farmland. She also actively volunteered for the Salem Community Club and Maple Grove cemetery and helped fundraise and organize installation of cairns to mark several of the sites of the 1 room school houses.

A self-taught piano player, she loved music, art and entertaining. She shared her gift with friends, family and countless students. Many have fond memories of the sing-a-longs she led or concerts she produced. She was also a prolific baker. Anyone who dropped by could count on being treated to some of her famous home-made cinnamon buns, tea biscuits, butter tarts or pumpkin pie.

Expressions of sympathy are so heartfelt and appreciated, but the family requests to please not send any cards or flowers.  Rather, if family or friends so wish, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Memorial service will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022, at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel at 1:00 pm led by Wilma Shirriff. The service will also be livestreamed, please click on the link to register to view. https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=02c14efd-1bf7-4557-8bc6-b9a16ab060e7 Burial at Maple Grove cemetery will take place at a later date.

It can be said that some people were born to love, encourage and inspire. She was one of them! Her passing will leave a huge hole in many hearts!

A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021.