Shirley is survived by her loving husband, Tony Lechuk; her children, Glen (Amanda), Rodney, Kim (Terry), and Lori; her step children, Carol (Rob), Andrea, Anthony (Leah); her grandchildren, Jade (Ben), Jenna (Brayden), Zach, Kyle (Jazmin), Jay, Lea, Christy, David (Jena), Corryn (Dan), Lauren, Tyler (Chelsea), and Taylor; her great grandchildren, Lacey, Riley, Paige, Jensyn, Rylie and Avery; her sisters, Lorraine and Evelyn; her best friend Ruth (Dennis), and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Shirley is predeceased by her parents, Bill and Mary; her brother, Herbert; her daughter, Roxanne; step-son Tommy; son-in-law, Ab; her brother-in-laws, Max and Jim, and her best friend, Mary Ann.
Shirley proudly grew up in rural Andrew area. In primary school she literally did walk to school with her two sisters. Her mother tongue was Ukrainian, but she, with her Aunties who were close in age, also spoke their version of pig latin. She married at 17 and had 5 children in 6 years. Rural life was not easy, starting in a three room home with no modern amenities; then buying and upgrading to a bungalow home that was moved from Edmonton and later became the family residence. She grew up with her young family and honed her skills as a prideful homeowner, fantastic cook, talented seamstress, keeping a large garden and canning annually. She loved her flowers and spent endless hours outdoors creating a beautifully landscaped yard for all to enjoy. Shirley welcomed, fed and entertained numerous friends and relatives during this period.
She started her career in 1970 with Canada Post as a rural mail carrier, then sorter in Andrew. She was promoted to a Postmaster in Willingdon, Lancaster Park, then transferring to Lamont, where she worked and resided until her retirement in 2001. Shirley and Tony moved to Lamont in 1988 after finding love and companionship and blending their respective families. Shirley faced all ages and phases of life with determination, strength, unique character and incredible work ethic. Above all, she loved her ever growing family.
Shirley had a sense of fashion, and had a flair and interest in personal interior design. She was always changing her home, sewing curtains, updating her paint and mixing her own paint colours, dubbing herself “a mixologist”. She loved to shop and hunt out bargains, Shirley had a talent to make something out of nothing. She liked the horse races and our family frequented Northlands until it closed its original location. She had a lifelong love of classic country music, and she and Tony loved to dance and would frequent rural Taverns to enjoy in their prime years. Shirley loved to laugh, was friendly, genuine and honest (sometimes brutally). She was a good listener, terrific historian and had a quick wit and dry humour. Shirley and Tony were adventurous, traveling extensively through the States, Mexico and Caribbean by car, air and sea. Both as a couple and with family and friends. In later years to present, Shirley and Tony frequented “the office” (Century Casino) where she was known to “put in a 20” in a slot machine. She exchanged many kindnesses with other patrons and staff alike. Life got reduced with infirmaries however she especially loved her “Story” where from 4-5 pm weekdays was her Y&R time, and her nightly beer and clam. She enjoyed Ukrainian Hour on Sundays and invited “Hey Google” into her skill set. Unfortunately, she had a love of smoking - having an “energizer” as she called it.
Shirley was an independent, feisty, stubborn, resilient, ‘fearless’ individual and a survivor. She suffered serious health issues that diminished her sight, speech, taste, balance, strength, walking, which finally began chipping away at her spirit. Her sharp, witty and sometimes dark humour was an untouched constant.
Shirley’s nephew and Godson, Scott, offered us these words of comfort in describing her stating “they don’t make them like that anymore”.
The family wishes to send a special thank you to the health care workers at Lamont, Fort Saskatchewan, Misercordia, University of Alberta and Emergency Service Responders servicing in Lamont that provided proficiency, caring and compassion.
As per Shirley’s request, a cremation has taken place and there will be no public funeral. The family will gather to celebrate her life.
Вічна пам'ять
Memory Eternal
If you please, we invite you to honor Shirley with a personal toast of your choice and a smile on her birthday, June 15th at noon.
Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
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