SHIRLEY NORMA MCCREEDY

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SHIRLEY NORMA MCCREEDY On Saturday, March 28, 2009, Shirley Norma McCreedy (nee Thordarson) age 87, passed away at Seven Oaks Hospital with her family by her side. Shirley was born February 14, 1922. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 64 years, Russell; two daughters, Janis Chant (Michael) of Winnipeg and Norma-Jean McCreedy (John Spauls) of Barrie; one son, Kevin McCreedy of Winnipeg; grandchildren, Brad, Caitlin, Bronwen, Declan, Heather, Allen and Eric, and sister, Margaret Hunter of Saskatoon. She is also survived by brother-in-law, Allen (Mary) McCreedy of Winnipeg; sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Dick) LaPage of Winnipeg and Marian McCreedy of Whitby and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother and father, Norma and Fred Thordarson; grandparents, Erlendur Thordarson and Signy Bjorg Erlandsdottir, Sveinn Thorbergson and Helga Hendriksdottir; her brother, David Thordarson; sister, Dorothy Littleford; sister-in-law, Doreen Thordarson and brothers-in-law, Mac Littleford and Ken Hunter. Shirley attended Daniel McIntyre Collegiate, graduating in 1939. She attended Manitoba Commercial College and worked as a secretary for several years. Shirley received her A.R.C.T. Piano Teacher's diploma in 1962 and joined the Manitoba Registered Music Teachers' Association in 1966. For two years she taught Piano Classes in Strathmillan School in St. James, then began teaching in her home studio, retiring in 1996. Shirley was president of the Provincial M.R.M.T.A. for two years, beginning in 1975. She was Secretary of the planning committee of the 1975 Biennial Convention of the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers, in Banff. She acted as Business Manager of the Canadian Federation of Music Teacher's Associations magazine for eight years, and was the M.R.M.T.A. representative on the C.F.M.T.A. council for four years. She was also president of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto Alumni Association, Winnipeg Chapter, and the former Women's Committee of the Men's Music Club. Shirley was in the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir for many years. She later became the director of the New Iceland Choir of Winnipeg, and sang at the Folklorama Scandinavian Pavilion annually. She was choir director at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church for more than twenty years. Shirley was the Canadian representative on the Inter-Lutheran Commission on Worship when that commission worked to produce their 1978 Hymnal and the Lutheran Book of Worship, which she considered one of the highlights of her life. In 1992 she received an honourary membership in the Icelandic National League, and was a recipient of a Governor- General's 125th Anniversary of Canada Medal. In 1993, Shirley was chosen Maid of the Mountain (or Fjallkona) of the Icelandic Celebration in Gimli, Manitoba. She was also past Regent of the Jon Sigurdsson Chapter, IODE, Secretary and Past-President of the Women's Inter-Church Council, Board Member of the Association of Christian Churches in Manitoba, and held numerous other offices, including President of the Evangelical Lutheran Women's Auxiliary. Shirley and her husband, Russell, derived great enjoyment out of learning about new technologies, taking senior's classes at St. James Collegiate. They spent many enjoyable hours together on the computer, working on projects to aid their volunteer organizations. Shirley was extremely proud of her Icelandic heritage, especially keeping alive the story of the Winnipeg Falcons, the team of first generation Icelandic Canadians which won the first Olympic Gold medal in hockey in 1920. She visited Iceland four times and had many friends there. Shirley loved her family and friends dearly and was always available whenever they needed help or support. She loved being an Amma, and always took great delight in all of her family's achievements and activities. She will be lovingly remembered for her passion for music, her determination and courage in facing life's challenges, and her abiding faith that Everything always works out for the best . Shirley was truly a force of nature. Special thanks to the nursing staff at Seven Oaks Hospital for their care and compassion. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at the Church of St. Stephen and St. Bede, 99 Turner, on Thursday, April 2 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Shirley's honor to the Church of St. Stephen and St. Bede, or to a charity of your choice. NEIL BARDAL INC. 204-949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 30, 2009