SHIRLEY ELIZABETH BROOKS

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SHIRLEY ELIZABETH BROOKS I completed my journey through life November 10, 1999 at Riverview Hospital. I was born on April 26, 1933 in Dauphin, Manitoba to Ellen Stanley and Wesley Crawford. My father and brother Elmer predeceased me. I know I will be deeply missed by my mother and my children, Brian, Rae, Leslie and Lynda; grandchildren, other relatives and countless friends across North America and those parts of the world I visited. I appreciate your sadness and understand your grief, but I sincerely want you to live well and not let this event stand in the way of your happiness. At age 42, I left the Provincial Government where I spent 14 years in the insurance industry to attend university. University was great. I wish it on everybody. I got a chance to participate in archaeological digs; investigate and discuss ideas and concepts that were completely unknown to me; and become friends with people from all over the world. I was completely invigorated and growing restless in my excitement about life. I wish I had been as patient as my dear friend Vivien. While she kept working toward her degree and an assured career in psychology, I couldnt wait to discover new horizons. After graduating with my BA in 1978, I went on a Classical European tour and spent six months exploring England, Europe and North Africa. Some of my greatest adventures were owning and operating several businesses. One treasured job was working with the mentally handicapped. Every day at work contained an inspiring moment. My last exciting venture was with Herbal Life, a company in which I truly believed and where I found new special friends. Though my health was obviously deteriorating, I surprised myself sometimes, reaching goals in my business younger and healthier people found hard to achieve. My friends say this is because I have a good ability to see into peoples souls and have a lot of empathy for them. I do not know if that is true. I know I am an intelligent woman and sometimes things are clearer and more obvious to me than other people. My hope is everyone felt I only used this skill for good. My mother taught me to treat others as you would have them treat you. I always tried to live by this statement. I made the last year of my life fun, doing as much with friends and family as possible, including that final, wonderful trip to Tunisia. Vivien, Ill bring the bananas next time we meet. During the closing weeks of my life I was so happy my daughters, grandchildren and wonderful, caring Bob were close by. I could not have faced those last days without your kindness and that of the staff at Riverview. You made it easier to finish my lifes journey. As you read this, my body has already been cremated. My friends, you are welcome to join my family in a small memorial service on Sunday, November 14 at 3:00 p.m. at the Leatherdale Gardiner Funeral Chapel, 1501 Waverley St., Winnipeg. Though I love flowers and always kept some near, I would prefer you make a donation to a charity of your choice instead of sending flowers to my memorial service. LEATHERDALE GARDINER 1501 Waverley Street 949-4860

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 13, 1999