SHIRLEY ANNABELLA KEATS (SIMPSON)

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SHIRLEY ANNABELLA KEATS
(nee SIMPSON)
December 11, 1934 – May 6, 2022

Suddenly at her home on May 6, Shirley passed away at the age of 87.
Shirley is survived by her three sons, Doug (Sheri) Saskatoon, Kenneth (Laurie) Winnipeg, Bruce (Daryl) Winnipeg; grandchildren, Tina, Jeffrey, Courtney, Kurt, Michaela and Georgia; great-grandchildren, Mikayla, Avery, Blakely; sister Bunny Widney and sister in-law Irva Keats and many nieces and nephews.
Shirley was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Susan; husband Donald; sister Elsie; brothers, Ray, Frank and Stan.
Born in Baldur, Manitoba, Shirley lost her mother at a young age and had a tough childhood, having to leave home at the age of 14. She relied on her brothers and sisters through her formative years. Moving to Winnipeg at the age of 17, she started her career at McLeod's Limited where she met her soon to be husband Don. Don and Shirley were married in 1954 and soon after started their family. In 1961, Don and Shirley set out on their own and proudly started D. E Keats and Associates and together ran that business for 32 years, along with many other entrepreneurial endeavours, some of which remain today. In 1965, Don and Shirley bought a small cottage at Caddy Lake in the Whiteshell that played host to many late night and early morning soirees. "Happy hours" with a "tray and a glass", friends and family gathering around was always in the cards. Her love of Caddy and all that the "lake" was remained steadfast both in summer and in winter. Don and Shirley enjoyed many winter escapes to their Florida home. Shirley lived to entertain and her home and cottage was always open to many friends and family throughout the years. She loved to play bridge and was always up for a hand, with lots of laughs with the bridge girls, or a quick pick-up game.
Shirley was most proud of her three sons and their children and couldn't wait to brag about each one of them to anyone with an open ear. Most weekends were spent watching her grandchildren play one sport or another. She truly enjoyed her time travelling to Singapore to see Bruce and Daryl (and their girls), where she was exposed to all parts of the world and many fun adventures the boys would have lined up.
Shirley was active in The Kinette Club, serving as president, the K 40 Club and was a long time member of River Heights United Church.
A special thank you to Daryl for taking such great care of Shirley in her later years and to the staff at The Wellington.
A celebration of Shirley's life will take place on Monday, May 16 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Andrews River Heights United Church, 255 Oak Street at Kingsway, (please note masks are required for the service) with a soiree to follow at The Pavilion at Assiniboine Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Assiniboine Park Conservancy.

GREEN ACRES
Funeral Home and Cemetery
(204) 222-3241
Condolences may be sent to
www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 14, 2022