Shirley Walker

Shirley was born on August 1st, 1930, in Indian Head, Saskatchewan and was raised on the family farm. She attended Indian Head public school and completed high school at Indian Head Collegiate. From a young age Shirley was interested in sports, particularly curling, and she curled with the family rink while still in public school. She skipped her own rink throughout high school.

As a young girl, Shirley would often fashion and sew her own clothing. She was also a talented artist, working mainly in pastels at the time, and designed several of the yearbook covers for her school. Shirley won prizes at the Regina fair for her art work and clothing designs.

After graduating from high school, Shirley moved to Winnipeg to join her sister Susie who was studying nursing at the Winnipeg General Hospital. Shirley graduated in 1952, after completing her three years of training. She worked as a nurse in Winnipeg for ten months, and then in Qu'Appelle at the Memorial Hospital, where she was appointed matron.

Shirley resigned from nursing and married Spence Walker on May 19, 1955, after which she dedicated her life to being a wife, mother and homemaker. She enjoyed the household duties and especially raising her three children – Dan, John and Pam. Throughout these years she was always busy with knitting and sewing for the little ones, and enjoyed gardening after moving into the house on Houghton Street that had a yard.

Shirley experimented with various art media over the years, including copper tooling, ceramics, and oil painting. She continued to sew and knit for many years. Shirley also loved to cook.

Shirley was also involved in her community, leading the Brownie pack as Brown Owl for five years. She taught Sunday school at St. Andrew's United Church, and she and Spence were members of the Senior Choir for many years. Shirley enjoyed the challenge of learning music, despite having no formal training as a child.

Shirley had a deep affection for the Qu'Appelle Valley, and especially the two cottages she and Spence built at Katepwa Lake. She loved to spend time with family at the lake, in particular her grandchildren who she loved deeply. She took great interest in every phase of their lives, and was a very loving Granny.

Shirley was a lifelong fan of curling, and looked forward to the curling season on TV, and would say that watching the games was her “winter vacation.” She followed the curling until her final days.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, Hugh and Gladys McDermaid (nee Price), brother Malcolm McDermaid, sister Susie McGowan and her husband John, and nephews Hugh and David McDermaid. Shirley is survived by her loving husband Spence Walker, son Dan Walker (Lorie) and his son Cam Thauberger (Kim) and their children Adam and Caden; son John Walker (Laurette) and their children Joel (Adrianna), Emilie, Marc (Andrea), and Sylvie (Byrun); daughter Pam Elliott (Ray) and their sons Ian and Colin. She is also survived by her sister Emma Pearl Cornelius, brother William McDermaid and his wife Lila, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

She will be missed by all who knew her.

A private interment service will be held at a later date. Arrangements in care of Tubman Cremation and Funeral Services (1-800-667-8962)