SHIRLEY LOUISE (MCINNES) FOWLER

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SHIRLEY LOUISE (MCINNES) FOWLER Shirley Louise (nee Baldner) passed away peacefully at the Grace Hospital on February 5, 2010. Born in Winnipeg on February 19, 1925, Shirley was the eldest of John and Viney Baldner's three daughters. She and her sisters, Betty and Jean, were inseparable throughout their early years. Growing up in River Heights and enjoying summers at Lac du Bonnet and at the family farm in Strathclair, the Baldner Girls have treasured their special bond throughout their lives. Shirley enjoyed school and took part in sports such as skiing, golf, badminton and bowling. After graduating from Kelvin High School in 1943, she completed another six months of business school. Following a couple of shorter term jobs, Shirley joined Eaton's in 1945 where, over the next six years, she made lifelong friendships and treasured memories. Shirley married John McInnes in 1950 and they raised their family of four children in Wildwood Park. With her family firmly at the center of her life, Shirley delighted in her children and was a strong, loving, and supportive mother. Special family memories were made during summers spent at Caddy Lake in the Whiteshell. In addition to being a homemaker, Shirley served as a volunteer at the Chown Guild's Nearly New Shop and became a member of the Fort Garry United Church. Becoming a single parent in 1972, she took a job as bookkeeper at the House of Teak, which she enjoyed for three years. In 1975, Shirley had the great fortune of meeting, falling in love with, and marrying Frank Fowler with whom she shared twenty-one happy years! Having blended two large families, Shirley and Frank's life together was rich with children and grandchildren, and they took great pleasure in watching their families grow. Among their many activities, they particularly enjoyed evenings spent playing bridge with close friends, attending the Manitoba Theater Center, and becoming active members of Westminster United Church. Every year was enriched by summer days at their cabin on Lake of the Woods and winter vacations in Hawaii. In 2006 Shirley moved into Sterling House; where she rekindled old friendships and made wonderful new friends with the both the residents and staff. Shirley enjoyed pastimes like doing needlework, completing puzzles and crosswords, going to plays, spending time in the outdoors, and playing bridge, cribbage, and Scrabble. She had a special gleam in her eye, however, when raking leaves, shoveling snow, or bushwacking the vegetation around the cabin. Shirley loved life, loved people, and flavoured her own life with cheerfulness and fun. She was always ready to enliven a conversation with her quick wit and a pun or two up her sleeve! However unassuming, Shirley was relied upon by many as a pillar of strength, and a source of wisdom and gentle counsel. Of her many strengths and attributes, she will most be remembered for her selflessness, her generosity, and her unconditional love. She was a giver in every sense of the word, always attentive to the needs of those around her. Shirley was, and will remain, a hero to many and will forever be deeply missed by everyone who was lucky enough to know and love her. Shirley leaves to celebrate her life her two sisters, Betty Daniels (and Harry) of Edmonton and Jean Shields of Arkansas; and her children, Rob McInnes and Denise Bissonnette, Lorri McInnes, Judy McInnes, Joan and Carey Wilson, and Joyce McInnes of Winnipeg, Nancy Ann Fowler and James Blume of Calgary, Daphne and Don Johnson of Domain, Brenda Fowler and Stephen Berthelot of Gabriola Island, and Sandra and Alvin Esau of Victoria. She will be greatly missed by 24 grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and a large community of friends. The family extends a special thank you to the staff at Grace Hospital, particularly Dr. Reynolds and nurse Debbie Kiez, for their consideration and support throughout the past week and to the staff of Sterling House for being so kind and accommodating throughout this journey. Services will be held at Westminster United Church, 745 Westminster Avenue, on Wednesday, February 10 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Winnipeg Foundation (Frank and Shirley Fowler Fund), 1350 - One Lombard Place, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0X3, or Fort Whyte Alive, 1961 McCreary Road, Winnipeg, MB R3P 2K9, or to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 08, 2010