Shirley McCulloch

Shirley Mae McCulloch

(nee Blight)

On Saturday, November 13, 2010, Shirley Mae McCulloch, beloved wife of Don McCulloch passed away suddenly at the Portage District General Hospital at 82 years of age.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years Don McCulloch, son Scott (Jo-Ann) and his children Shane (Ruth), great-granddaughter Jacey, Kristen; daughter Jo-Anne (Bob) Galbraith and their children Cheryl (Mike), Greg and Jeff; son Grant (Lisa) McCulloch and their children Breana and Derek; siblings Don (Doddy) Blight, Ken (Shirley) Blight, sister-in-laws Iris and Verna Blight and many nieces and nephews and their families.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents Florence & Les Blight, sister Beth Hollingsworth (Blight), brother in law Bill Hollingsworth, brothers George and Floyd Blight, niece Maureen Gagne (Blight) and nephew Rick Blight.

Shirley was born May 15, 1928 and educated in Beautiful Valley and Oakville schools before continuing on for three years of nurses training in the Portage General Hospital. In 1949 she received a bursary for a one year certificate course at McGill University in Montreal then returned to teach at the Portage hospital for two years. She took a six month position in Saskatoon before returning to Oakville to be married in 1952. Shirley and Don raised their family on the farm west of Oakville. In 1967 Shirley was asked to do a two week term of holiday relief for the recovery room at the hospital. That two week term continued for the next 19 years until she retired May 9, 1986.

Shirley was an extraordinary volunteer and served on various committees throughout the years, helping wherever she could. Locally she served on the Oakville Home & School Association, Oakville Figure Skating Club, Community Club and Scouts. From 1969-74 she was the RM Rep. on the original Board of Directors during the construction of Lion's Prairie Manor. In 1984 Shirley won an award for Excellence in the Clinical Nursing Practice and both a Silver (1987) and Gold (1989) volunteer award through the Manitoba Division of the Canadian Cancer Society. In 1998 when the Canadian Cancer Society Portage Office closed, Shirley and four other volunteers worked hard to form a corporation called Central Plains Cancer Care Services which continues to help people with cancer and their families. Shirley was the founder of the Portage Hospital's annual fundraiser - the "Foundation Friday BBQ". Shirley was an avid gardener and took pride in winning the Provincial Good Roads Home and Grounds Award on two different occasions. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. at the Knox United Church in Oakville, MB led by Rev. Chuck Ross. Interment will take place at the Oakville Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Shirley's memory to Central Plains Cancer Care Services, 318 Sask. Ave.E, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N OK8, Portage District General Hospital Foundation - PGH Originals, 524 Fifth St.SE, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3A8, or to Knox United Church, Box 246, Oakville, MB, ROH OYO.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared forby McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel 857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com