Obituary of Shirley Aldreen Nedland

Our cherished and loving mother passed away on Feb 11, 2011 surrounded by her daughters, sons and grandchildren. Shirley was born in Rainy River, Ontario on Dec 3, 1922; she had 2 sisters and one brother. Harley, Gladys and Ardell. As a young girl she grew up in the rainy river district with her mother, father, brother and sisters. She moved to Winnipeg at the age of 17. In Winnipeg she found fun and excitement with her best friend Ilene. They both found jobs and relished their freedom and companionship. It was during that time in 1939 she met a young man Gordon from Saskatchewan learning to be a soldier. They were destined to be together and after Gordon's return from four years of overseas deployment with Princess Patricia Rifleman, they were married. Gordon took his bride to Saskatchewan where they spent the next 12 years farming and raising the first 3 of their 6 children. Jack, Judy and Barbara experienced the tight knit community of Canwood and the Blue Heron district. Water wells, horses and sleds, gas lanterns and wood stoves were the amenities of the day. In 1956 all was trundled up from the farm and a new life in Dawson Creek was started. Gordon traded farming for electrical work and the family flourished and doubled with the arrival of 3 more children, Barry, Patti and Paula. The Dawson Creek days were full of friends and family, summer holidays riddled with camping, fishing, and trips to Vancouver Island. The station wagon was always full of kids. In 1983 mom lost dad but there was never another. Her love for travel never wained. She went from the great pyramids to the blue seas of New Zealand where she will be mourned and missed greatly. In mom's 88th year she would still fascinate us with her stories rich in detail. Her ability to paint the past with words chosen in an easy and descriptive style was tribute to her sharp mind as a master storyteller. She was a scholar musician, artist, always broad minded and optimistic. She built a foundation of love, honesty, and compassion that was passed on to her children and grandchildren where she will live on in their hearts always. Very respectfully Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium.