SHIRLEY ANNE BLEAKNEY (WASHNUK)

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SHIRLEY ANNE BLEAKNEY (nee WASHNUK) Shirley Anne Bleakney, aged 57 years, of Thunder Bay, ON passed away peacefully in hospital with her family by her side, on Thursday, November 13, 2003 following a lengthy and very courageous battle with cancer. Born in Port Arthur on October 9, 1946, Shirley later moved to Winnipeg at 12 years of age with her family where she graduated as an elementary school teacher, taught in elementary schools in Transcona and married her devoted husband Dean. In 1970 Shirley and Dean moved back to Thunder Bay where she dedicated the next few years to raising her family and later enjoyed a very rewarding career with several large firms in office work, human resources and staff training. She concluded her working career at Sears as a Sales Team Leader where she enjoyed her passion for interacting with people. Two of her fondest hobbies were gardening, where her backyard became a park and quilting where her happiest times were spent planning, designing, discussing quilting with her friends and sister Lorraine. Shirley was a member of the Thunder Bay Quilters Guild where she served on the executive, as well as belonging to the Manitoba Prairie Quilters and the Canadian Quilters Association. Shirley touched many people in special ways and will always be remembered for her positive, happy outlook and genuine concern for others. She will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her husband Dean; son David (Carrie) grandson Jordan; daughter Sharon (Tyler). Shirley is also survived by her parents Verna and Henry Washnuk; sister Lorraine (Don) Saramaga; their children, Cheryllynn (Dennis), Ryan (Cheri) mother-in-law Alice Bleakney; sister-in-law Daphne (Bryan) Shore; their children, Jennifer (Jason) and Tyler (Samantha). She was predeceased by her grandparents and her uncle Joe. A memorial service to celebrate Shirleys life will be held in St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, 675 Red River Rd., Thunder Bay on Saturday, November 22 at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Rev. Peter Smyth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shirleys memory to the Northern Cancer Research Foundation, Thunder Bay, or to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, 675 McDermid Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9. "We will love you for a lifetime, and more."

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 20, 2003