SHIRLEY EVELYN KOLENCH

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Shirley Kolench. Shirley was born in 1941 in Ledwyn, Manitoba where she lived on the family farm until moving to Winnipeg in 1958.

Shirley married Stanley Kolench in 1961 and was a very dedicated homemaker, sometimes choosing to work outside the home but preferring to stay home and take care of her family. She enjoyed family gatherings of all kinds and would often have a houseful of guests over the holidays. There was rarely an empty chair or space for more food on the table. No one ever left her home hungry and everyone was welcomed with open arms. She believed that family was more than blood, it was measured by love, kindness and respect. One of her favorite traditions was to make each child their favourite birthday supper complete with the customary Jeannie’s cake, a tradition she continued until she was no longer living in her home.

Shirley was an avid Winnipeg Blue Bomber fan. She would never miss a game and even ended up watching the game on a phone when she was in the hospital. Shirley also loved to garden and could make vegetables and flowers grow in almost anything. A favourite pastime of hers was playing bingo which she took very seriously. We couldn’t have one of her special birthday dinners if it fell on a bingo night, dinner could be moved but not bingo!

Despite Shirley’s small stature and heart of gold, she was a woman who knew what she wanted and was rarely swayed by anyone else’s opinions or wishes. That was the way she lived her life right until the end when she fought her toughest battle and left our world in her own time and under her own terms.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, Stanley and Anne; brothers James and Melvin; and infant sister Rose. Left to mourn her passing are daughters, Arlene (Greg), Sharlene (Ray); and son Eugene (Pat); along with grandchildren, Samantha (Jordan), Nicholas (Makayla), Matthew and Sydnee; and great-grandaughter Hazel. Also mourning her loss is her brother John (Mary); sister Gladys (Larry); and sisters-in-law Diane and Pauline, numerous nieces, nephews, aunt and cousins.

We would like to thank her neighbours and friends that helped her live independently until her illness. The family would also like to extend a special thanks to the management and staff of Unit 2, Actionmarguerite St. Joseph’s who cared for her until her passing.

An internment will take place at Brookside Cemetery on Wednesday, December 10th at 11:00 AM with guests meeting at the cemetery entrance to be escorted to Shirley’s final resting place. Following the internment, a Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM at 603 Wellington Crescent at Academy.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers that a donation be made in her honour to Friends of St. Joseph's Residence. Information may be found at: www.actionmarguerite.ca/donations/donate-now.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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