BARBARA SHEARER (MCVICAR)

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BARBARA SHEARER (MCVICAR) February 19, 1955 - February 14, 2017 It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Barbara Shearer (McVicar), on February 14, at the Riverview Health Centre, just days shy of her 62nd birthday. Although not wanting to consider this a "battle", she fought to the end to stay with us. She passed away in the loving presence of Ashleigh, Kim and "soul" sister Elaine. Barb is survived by her husband Ken, daughter Ashleigh (Konrad Ross) and the love of her life, grandson Liam. Also left to cherish her memory include father and mother-in-law Norman and Mildred Shearer, sisters Linda Enns (Vic), Lori Smith (Andre), and Kim Crowe (Bill), brother Jay McVicar (Linda); brother-in-law Lawrie Shearer (Lana Daman), sisters-in-law Cathy Shearer (Ken Dunsmore) and Pat Shearer (Ted Szyda), numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and BFF Elaine (Lee) Rawsthorne. She also leaves behind many extended family members and close friends across the city and country, all of whom are feeling her absence. She was predeceased by her parents, Bill and Sonya McVicar. Barb was born on February 19, 1955 in Winnipeg, the middle of five siblings. She grew up in Fort Garry, attending Vincent Massey High School. Although a Fort Garry girl, this wavered in 1971, when she met Ken and thus planted her River Heights roots, forming close friendships and eventually raising her family there. Barb and Ken were married in 1976. Fort Garry did call them back however and they moved back in 2006. Barb graduated from the St. Boniface School of Nursing in 1975. She began her nursing career on the Cardiovascular Thoracic unit at St. Boniface Hospital, and remained at St. Boniface until her retirement in 2007. Always having an affinity for the heart, she worked the majority of her career in Cardiac nursing, including Surgical Intensive Care, Pacemaker Clinic, and Cardiac Rehabilitation at the Reh-Fit Centre. Despite her "retirement" in 2007, she missed the working environment of St. Boniface, and returned in 2011 to work in the Cardiac Surgery Access Office. Throughout her nursing career she developed many close friendships. She was an excellent nurse and always went the extra mile for her patients. Her daughter Ashleigh was born in 1982. They had a bond like no other. They would often joke that they were mother / daughter twins, having similar voices, personalities and interests. Ashleigh's best memories of her mum were of their summers together, for many years at West Hawk Lake and later at Dufresne Island. One of Barb and Ken's greatest accomplishments was buying land and building a cottage on the Winnipeg River, a life-long dream of both. Although Dad built the cabin, Mum made it a home. She and Dad enjoyed many summers there with their yellow Labs - fishing, swimming and relaxing with friends and family. Although not a true outdoorswoman, "Camp girl", often surprised us with her ability to tackle the elements (read: spiders!). She and Ken caught the travel bug, travelling to Mexico over the last few years. She also had a deep love of Vancouver Island, specifically Tofino. Barb and Ashleigh went on a "vision quest" as they jokingly called it and travelled there together in 2012, staying at Middle Beach Lodge, hiking the beaches and eating the great food. Barb and Elaine also had the opportunity to travel there in 2015. Her first diagnosis of cancer was in October 2015. The news was devastating, but soon we found out that a grandchild would be joining our family, and this was my mum's "carrot" for getting through her treatments. She was rewarded on August 18, 2015, with her grandson Liam. Their time together was cut short, but we made the most of it. She saw Liam almost daily, and he loved his "Grammy", especially his kitchen sink baths, family dinners with Great-Grandpa and many cuddles and naps together. She was happiest when her "chicks were all in the nest", as she put it, cooking family meals and making the most of the holidays. We want to send a heartfelt thank you to the staff of 3 East Palliative Care at Riverview Health Centre, including Dr. Paul, Dr. Crawford, the nurses and support staff. Mum was cared for in the same way she would have cared for her patients, with kindness, compassion and dignity. This was such a painful road for our family, and knowing she had such excellent care made it that much easier. To good friend Lori Embleton, you were instrumental in getting Mum the care she needed and our family is immensely grateful to you. Also thank you to Nurse Deb at CancerCare and Home Care Nurse Kelly DD - you two were, quite literally, our lifeline. Ashleigh personally wants to thank her aunts Linda, Lori, Kim, Cathy and Pat; her Uncle Jay and her Guardian Angel Elaine. All worked so hard for the last six weeks, ensuring Mum was never alone, and tirelessly advocated for her care and comfort when she could no longer do so. Ash will forever hold you close to her heart for what you did for her mother. At Barb's request, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, when the weather is warm and our hearts have had more time to mend. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Barbara's name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 25, 2017