SHIRLEY JOAN SCHWARTZ (KOWALCHUK)

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SHIRLEY JOAN SCHWARTZ (nee KOWALCHUK) January 18, 1937 - August 7, 2017 Peacefully, on August 7, 2017, at Seven Oaks Hospital, beloved wife of Ronald (predeceased), passed away at the age of 80. Best Mom ever to son Grant (Linda) of Selwyn, Ontario, daughter Laura (Vince) and daughter Debbie (Bobby), all of New Mexico. Grandchildren, Andrew and Jeffrey, and great-grandchildren, Claire, Cooper, Clark and Willson, of Ontario. Shirley retired from Motor Coach Industries after 20 years of service. Shirley was a valued and loved employee and co-worker, she always had a smile for everyone and was known for her beautiful and friendly voice answering the phones and her genuine concern for everyone. Shirley always had a smile on her face that would light up a room. She was such a kind, compassionate, caring, generous and loving lady. She had a special way of making everyone feel better and this included her family and friends and even someone she just met in line at the grocery store. She had such a positive attitude and always looked at the glass as half full. Shirley's greatest joy was her family and friends and spending time with them. She loved to host holiday dinners where love, laughter and good food were abundant and anyone was welcome. As a young girl, Shirley played both the violin and accordion and was also on a Ukrainian dance team. She also ran track and field where she excelled in sprinting. Shirley was an avid bowler and one of the best in her league, winning many trophies. She was a masterful cribbage player and had several perfect scores of 29. The Saturday night "crib nights" that she and Ron enjoyed with their family and friends were always something she looked forward to. She loved to watch all sports, especially football and was an avid Bomber fan; she and Ron had season tickets for many years. Shirley got such joy from the simple pleasures in life; she loved to garden, cook, bake and pickle the vegetables she harvested from her garden. She was a very hard worker her entire life and she instilled that into her children which we will always be grateful for. Shirley loved animals and had many dogs and cats throughout her life. After Ron's passing in 2015, Shirley resided at Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg. Immediately she became friends with the residents and the staff. She knew everyone's name and always took the time to ask about them and their families. With her ever present smile she was nicknamed "Momma Sunshine". She really enjoyed her time there playing bingo, cribbage, attending concerts, exercise class and just conversing with everyone. Shirley was an amazing person and she will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her. "We love you Mom, rest in peace." Memorial service will be held on Monday, September 25, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main Street, West St. Paul, MB. Interment and reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, in Mom's memory please donate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Stn. K- Toronto, P.O. Box 460, Toronto, ON M4P 2G9. Glen Eden Funeral Home & Cemetery 204-338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 16, 2017