SHIRLEY BOITEAU (BOGAERT)

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SHIRLEY BOITEAU
(BOGAERT)

Our lives are forever changed with the passing of our mother, Shirley, August 9, 2021, at River Park Gardens Personal Care Home, at the age of 85. Daughters by her side every step of the way...all for one, one for all.
Shirley is reunited with her husband Aime (sorry Dad, it's been seven years, the party is over), her parents, Florence (Pion) and Leon Bogaert, brother Ramon, along with numerous relatives and friends.
She will be forever missed by her daughters, "Shirl's Girls", Donna (Darcy), Gisele, and Michelle (Jay), grandsons, Denis (Jessica), and Gilles (Ainsley), great-grandchildren, Logan and Hailey, as well as her Aunt Lorraine and sisters-in-law, Yvette, Terry and Mariette (Pete).
Mom was born and raised in St. Boniface, MB. Mom loved St. B and all Provencher Boulevard had to offer back in the day. Mom had to care for her mom who was diagnosed with cancer at a young age. Mom was employed at Modern Dairies from the early 1950s to early 1960s. She loved working at the "dairy" and would have continued if Dad hadn't wanted her to stay home to raise us girls.
They married in 1961, where Mom stayed at home raising the family in Windsor Park.
Mom took pride in her homemaking and loved to make pickles, jams, jellies and all kinds of baked goodies. On cleaning days, we knew better than to walk on the freshly vacuumed carpet and only sit on the chairs with plastic. We always joked that our living room was just for looking from behind the velvet rope.
Mom and Dad's lives became enriched when they became grandparents, a role they were meant to fulfill. Days were few and far between when the boys didn't see or spend time with Grandma and Pepere. Sleepovers, care packages and love were plentiful.
Mom loved "playing the machines" as she'd say. Only a handful of times a year and when she'd tell us that she was up 10 bucks, she made it seem like she hit the jackpot. She kept her gambling change in a ziploc bag so when she got the invite, out came the baggy of change while grinning ear to ear. Mom also loved to travel, especially their winters spent in Weslaco, Texas with family and friends.
Her family was her world and if she had it her way, every minute would have been spent together. Their home had a revolving door of visitors, always someone over visiting around the kitchen table. She loved when we dropped in for Saturday afternoon beers with Dad, where she always had a plate of open faced egg salad buns, cheese and pickles waiting for us.
Mom was a reserved and strong woman. She was selfless with a heart of gold and a big beautiful smile and was quick witted, even in her dementia years. She loved her daily visit with each daughter and the conversations and laughter with each. Each visit was different, some better than others, but when Jay came around, she lit up instantly and he could always make her smile. We are blessed and grateful that she still knew her girls and grandsons until the end.
Mom was dealt many health obstacles over the past 12 years and was robbed of important years. With her health and mobility issues, it was inevitable that her final home would be in long term care.
Please be an active advocate for loved ones living in long term care - don't assume, do follow-up, do ask questions and do challenge medical care. Be their voice.
Mom, we hope that we did half as good of a job caring for you as you did for us as you set the bar high. Our final wish for you is that your mind is clear from the clutter and anguish, your body free from the pain, to allow your 85 years of joy, memories and health to be returned to you where they belong. Our lives won't be the same without our Shirl.
Cremation has taken place with a private family celebration to follow.

God made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,
And He moulded her heart of pure gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,
In her cheeks fair roses pink and flush;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear mother to us.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 21, 2021