SHIRLEY BOESE (CURRAN)

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SHIRLEY BOESE (CURRAN) April 13, 1928 - June 25, 2013 It is with great love and heavy hearts that we say farewell to Shirley Boese. Shirley was born in Emerson, MB where she spent many years raising her family and participating in the social life of this community located on the Red River which she loved. Shirley was predeceased by her husband David. Shirley is survived by her seven children - Blythe, Brian (Tina), Robyn (Albert), Jeri-Lynn (Dave), Darcy (Ruby), Beverly (Chris) and Tracy (Gil). Shirley also leaves behind 12 grandchildren - Harlie, Kristen, Brendan, Dana, Amy, Morgan, Sarah, Maggie, Alison, Julie, Sean and Roseanne. Also surviving is Shirley's brother Jack Curran. Shirley was raised on the banks of the Roseau River in Dominion City, MB in her family of father "Frank", mother Roseanne, one brother and three sisters. The out-of-doors was a big attraction for Shirley while at home in several communities, at various lakes, and down south in Donna, TX where she and Dave spent a number of winters golfing. Shirley said that she was a "Tom-boy" athlete growing up and loved to swim and play softball in the summer then skate, play "shinny" and curl in the winter. Shirley's two greatest moments in curling happened first when her mother asked her to spare for her adult rink as a 10-year-old, and about 20 years later, when she skipped a veteran team of Dominion City women to victory in the first event at the 1961 Drayton Bonspiel. In 1950, Shirley graduated from the St. Boniface School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. In her nursing career, Shirley did some work at the Emerson hospital and at a medical clinic on the Roseau Reserve. She married Dave Boese on June 14, 1952 and they moved to their farm, south-east of Dominion City, to begin raising their family. In 1962, with five children in tow (two more arrived later), the Boese family moved to Emerson. Shirley belonged to the United Church and ensured that going to Sunday School was a regular practice for her children. She also made sure all of her kids took swimming lessons ... which is now appreciated by all, of course. Mom was a community-minded volunteer as she assisted a variety of organizations in Emerson including the Pool Committee, the Rink Committee, Meals-On-Wheels, the Emerson Golf and Country Club, and the Post Road Heritage Group. Shirley received one of Manitoba's "Citizen of the Year" awards in 1978 from the Lieutenant Governor. In her days supporting the preservation of the Fort Dufferin area, Shirley enjoyed the opportunity of riding along for the first day with the 1999 re-enactment of the North West Mounted Police "Ride West". Many weeks later, she travelled to Ft. MacLeod, AB to greet the weary group after their long journey. Over the past four years, Shirley had faced many challenges. Appreciation is expressed to all the friends that Shirley has made over the years, especially in the Emerson and Dominion City communities. Thanks are expressed to the medical practitioners that have worked with the family to meet her needs. Respecting Shirley's wishes, cremation will take place. A celebration of Shirley's life will take place in Emerson at the New Horizons Club at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 5. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Shirley's favourite charities providing sponsorship for children to benefit from attending summer camp: The Winnipeg Free Press Sunshine Fund, 302-960 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3G 0R4. AN IRISH BLESSING (Shirley's heritage) May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, And the rains fall soft upon your fields, And, until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 29, 2013