Shirley Ann Nixon
August 9th, 2019
Shirley Ann Nixon (Snidal)
October 10, 1956 - August 9, 2019.
For most of her adult life, Shirley would be up early, starting on a pot of coffee, with CBC on the radio…but not today. With her loving husband at her side, Shirley passed peacefully, in the early dawn of a summer morning.
Shirley’s journey began in the Johns Hopkins Hospital, a few months later the family returned to Winnipeg where she grew up. Many years later her journey changed course. Days before her 55th birthday, Shirley was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She continued on, without a return ticket, alas none yet available. On this journey with her was her husband of 35 years Craig and their children Lauren (Quinn), Kristen (Bobby) and Sean (Chelsea).
She met this new challenge with optimism, perseverance and courage.
From a young age, Shirley loved children and caring for people. This led her to nursing and in 1982 she graduated as an RN from St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg. Shirley then joined her soon to be husband Craig in Regina, where she continued her passion working as a pediatric nurse at the Regina General Hospital.
The next part of her journey was becoming a mother. During summers at the beach in Gimli, Shirley taught the kids to become strong swimmers at a young age. Along the way she gave them the skills they needed to stay afloat, not just in the water, but in life, when faced with its inevitable challenges.
Shirley and Craig’s children attended elementary school in Sherwood Park, Winnipeg and Calgary, and Shirley was always an avid volunteer in their classrooms. This led to her working in the school with ESL students and providing care, encouragement and support to all the students.
Shirley’s grandchildren Dechlan, Ainsley and Leo will be inspired by their Amma’s legacy of optimism, having fun, and her overflowing love and care for people, especially children.
Shirley is survived by her brothers David (Lindy), Dan (Diane), Peter (Karen) and Mark (Stella). She was loved equally by her siblings-in-law Brad (Carol), Kerri (Graham) and Kathy.
Shirley was predeceased by her parents Carmen and Dan Snidal, her oldest brother James and Craig’s parents, Miriam and John Nixon.
She is fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews, Nicole, James, David, Christine, Mark, Tori, Leslie, Claire, Brenna, Kenneth, Meredith and great niece Willa.
Best friends the Kennedys, Cathi, Kim, Scott (Lisa) and Kaitlin (Jason) and the grandchildren Jack, Stella and Winslow, will hold Shirley in their hearts.
Shirley’s journey has come to an end, but her laughter and optimism will be embraced as we drink our coffee on the beach, listen to the CBC and choose to find the joy in every day.
Thanks to Carol and all her caregivers at Bethany Seniors as well as Donna, Caroline and all her companions from Granddaughters.
A Memorial Service will be held at The Tuscany Club, 212 Tuscany Way NW, Calgary, AB T3L 2J6 on Saturday, September 28th at 3PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Shirley's memory to The Alzheimer’s Association of Alberta and the Northwest Territories 10531 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5H 4K1.
Messages:
she will always be remembered as daughter and the love that her parents had for her will never be forgotten. We all will sit at the dining room table and sip another glass of wine for daughter
she will always be remembered as daughter and the love that her parents had for her will never be forgotten. We all will sit at the dining room table and hoist one for daughter
I remember Shirley from he Bethany Care on Sunshine Point when I would visit my friend. It was really nice to read about her life and her family. She had a very full and meaningful life. My condolences to the family. Sue Priest
I too just heard from my sisters Leslie Lisa and Sam about Shirley. Cuzzy Shirley. Woman with huge laugh and love of the water and so much else. I am glad I knew her in our young and teen years especially at the Loni beach cottage. So much freedom and simplicity. Listening to eight tracks. Having great evening adventures. Love to all her children and grandkids and Craig’s family and Kerri and all my remaining male cousins. Shirley had a lot being sandwiched amongst all those boys and she far surpassed and held her own. Especially at the cottage. I can hear us all now. Lucky us.
I just learned today that my dear friend Shirley Ann died. We became very close friends when we all took sailing classes together at Gimili every summer. Shirley Ann and I, she being about 5 ft 10 inches and me being a paltry 4 ft 11 inches would sail for hours in the Gimili harbor in a little boat called a sabot pram. I spent may over nights at the Snidal cottage and slept in the back of Mrs Snidals truck. We continues to hang together as we got older, at Loni Beach and in Winnipeg. We had such fun Shirley and I all those years ago. Shirley Ann or Daughter as her father called her, the only Snidal child with a Nick name as I recall, was simply a wonderful girl and young woman. Though we lost touch over the years I will never forget her or the fun times we had. I can still see her beautiful, tall lanky self tucked into that tiny boat and the two of us just singing and sailing and giggling away the day. You are forever in my heart Shirley Ann. I will always miss you. Deepest sympathy to Shirley Ann's husband, children and extended family and all the Snidal boys.....love and blessings ....Sidney Macaw
Sincerest condolences to the Nixon/Corrigall/Renaud families. Shirley adored her children and would have been a proud Amma to her beautiful grandchildren. Shirley and I met in Loni Beach when I was 13 and she was 14. We enjoyed many summers together before and after having children. Combined we had 6 children in 7 years. I have so many fond memories of the time we spent together with all of our Loni Beach friends. Goodbye my dear friend. I will remember you often and most importantly as I enjoy coffee on the beach.
My Auntie Shirley made a huge impact on my life. Most summers I would spend a few weeks with her at our family cabin in Gimli, at what I would call “Camp Shirley”. We would wake up every morning at six am to watch the sunrise on the beach and we would finish each day by playing solitaire by the light of a lantern on the veranda. We would bake scones and vinaterta while listening to CBC radio mystery stories and paint rocks that we would find while on our long walks on the beach. She always encouraged the best in me and treated me as a friend. She was never afraid to be silly with me and let her guard down. I loved her with my whole heart and myself and my parents (Daniel and Diane Snidal) offer our deepest condolences to Uncle Craig, Lauren, Kristen, and Sean. Not only did she have an enormous impact in our lives, but also on the lives of everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her. She will be missed.
Craig, Lauren, Kristen, Sean and families, please accept our sincere condolences. We have always wished we had known Shirley before illness robbed her of her vibrant essence. We would have had such wonderful times as our extended families grow. You are very much in our hearts and our thoughts at this difficult time. With love, Candy Corrigall, Brian Adamsq72
There was a large portrait of Shirley's nursing graduation photo that hung in the landing of her parent's home on Niagara Street in Winnipeg. I was always so captivated and drawn to it. To me this picture perfectly captured Shirley's beauty, both inside and out. I will always think of her as one of the most wonderful woman I had the privilege of knowing!
I am so sorry for your loss. Shirley was a shining light. Loni Beach hasn’t been the same without her. My heart goes out to you Nixons and Snidals. Rest In Peace, Shirley.
The obituary is a beautiful memorial to an extremely wonderful woman, wife, mother and friend. Farewell to dear Shirley- you will be missed!
I was Shirley’s companion/caregiver from 2013 till this Aug/2019 . I have so many wonderful memories with Shirley that I will treasure. I would take her in my car, turn up the radio & we both would sing our hearts out...Go to Tim’s for coffee & donuts... She loved my dog Max... Shirley has a special place in my heart... My condolences to this wonderful family & friends... I will truly miss my visits w/this sweet beautiful lady... . Hugs to all of you
To Craig, Lauren, Kristen, Sean and the extended Nixon and Snidal families, we were so sorry to hear of the loss of Shirley. You are in our thoughts. Melanie, Keiran, Aria, and Ember
We have so many wonderful memories of Shirley! When I first started dating Mark, and the cottage was full, we would sleep on the sail boat. I was blown away when we woke up each time and Shirley had brought us coffee AND cinnamon buns! The marina was not close to the cottage! And I still have the book- “Stella- fairy of the forest” where the name Sam had been changed to Mark- one of Shirley’s more creative ideas to keep the kids busy- still have it and still love it. Shirley was a force of nature, irrepressible personality and she is missed and always will be. Love to you all
It was a great pleasure getting to know Shirley and spend time with her. Her smile was bright and beautiful. Myself and the staff here at Riverview cared for her deeply. Thank you for letting us care for her.
Our condolences to the entire family and especially to my daughters best friend Kristen. Our thoughts are with you all
I was saddened to read of Shirley's death in our St. Boniface Alumni newsletter. Shirley and I were in the same graduating class of 1982, and I have such fond memories of our student days and her often hilarious antics! When she lived briefly in Regina, we reconnected but then lost touch when she moved to Calgary. I still think of her when I drive past the home she had in south central Regina. She was such fun, and such an intelligent and compassionate nurse. Please accept my condolences on your great loss.