SHIRLEY LOUISE PINTEA (MERRETT, BLAINE) -

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SHIRLEY LOUISE PINTEA (MERRETT, BLAINE) 1939 - 2010 After a heroic and lengthy battle with cancer, Shirley Pintea passed away on August 4 at the Palliative Care Unit in St. Boniface Hospital. Predeceased by her first husband, Donald Blaine (1979) and father, Ross Merrett (1981). Shirley is survived by her husband Hans Pintea; her mother Betty Merrett; her brother Bill (Patti) Merrett; her sons, Gord (Jan) and Doug (Silke) Blaine; her daughter Karen (Dave) Yagnesak; and her six grandchildren, Erin, Rachel, Melissa, Travis, Lia and Kai. Shirley was a devoted wife, mother and nana who placed the welfare and happiness of her family well over that of herself. In her last days she expressed how she will dearly miss being a part of the future of her beloved grandchildren but that she will always be with them as their guardian angel. She was a kind and loving soul who throughout her life continually gained and kept a beautiful and wide circle of friends. To these friends she wished to express her thanks not only for their friendship over the years, but also for all their love, caring and support during her illnesses and challenges. A native of Winnipeg, Shirley graduated with an Arts Degree in Psychology at the University of Manitoba. She worked for Great West Life, Statistics Canada, Equitable Life, and volunteered for many charitable organizations including the Cancer Society of Manitoba, ushered for the Manitoba Theatre Centre and acted as a Community Service Centre volunteer with the Winnipeg Police Service. An avid athlete, Shirley pursued various sports throughout her lifetime: paddling, running, hurdles and volleyball in her earlier years, and kept active in tennis, badminton and both downhill and cross-country skiing until very recently. She loved all facets of the arts and was a long-time season ticket holder for the Manitoba Opera, Manitoba Symphony and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Over the last 15 years of her life she battled three different types of cancer, finally succumbing to a fourth re-occurrence. She wished to thank her doting husband Hans who stayed with her every step of the way during the difficult treatment periods, and those doctors who helped her prevail through these illnesses, including: Alex Vacjner, Darrell Drachenberg, Helmut Unruh, Fred Ball, Neil Craton; and at CancerCare Manitoba: doctors Gary Harding and Bashir Bashir and their supporting staff Cindy, Barb, Michelle; and most recently Drs. Prewal, de la Riviere and Garcia and all the wonderful nurses and support workers at the St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care Unit. Funeral service will be held at Bethesda Church at 11:30 a.m. (1350 Grant Avenue) on Monday, August 9 followed by a reception at Thomson in The Park Funeral Home (1291 McGillvary Blvd.) and burial at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba or St. Boniface Hospital Foundation in support of the Palliative Care Unit. THOMSON IN THE PARK 925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 07, 2010