Shirley Watson

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Shirley Watson, at the age of 78, on September 15, 2022 in Penticton, BC. She is reunited with our father, Allan Watson, who had passed away September 24, 2019.

Left to treasure her memory are her siblings: Hilda Tremain and Bernice Funk, her children Joy (Denis), Lola (Jeff), and Bill (Cheryl). Also to mourn her loss are her grandchildren, Brittany (Ryan), Matthew (Samm), Nicholas (Vicki), Brendon (Ashley), Mitchell (Ashley), Jaice & Asia and her great grandchildren Caz, Linc, Austin, Colton, Marlee, Bronte and Noah.

Shirley was born to Agnes and William George on October 18, 1943 in the town of Gladstone, Manitoba. She married the late Allan Watson in 1962 and they started their life together in Winnipeg. After their three children were born, they moved to the country where they lived just outside of Starbuck, Manitoba on a small hobby farm. For many years, Shirley worked as the librarian at Sanford Collegiate where she shared her love of reading and learning with the students.

With Shirley’s talent in the kitchen and Allan’s entrepreneurial spirit, they took a leap of faith and purchased a garage and restaurant at The Four Corners in Holland, Manitoba in 1983. Al’s service flourished for fourteen years with the reputation of Shirley’s cooking and baking. After closing this chapter, they moved not too far away to the Town of Cypress River where she began her next adventure working as a Post Master at the Cypress River Postal Office. Shirley enjoyed a good laugh and always had a joke or two to share while handing out the mail. She had a tremendous group of postie friends with whom she shared many good times and life milestones.

Throughout her life, Shirley had many passions and hobbies. She was naturally artistic and applied her creativity to her art work which ranged from using watercolours to pastels. Many of our family couches have signature crocheted Shirley Watson afghans draped on them. Her love of gardening followed her throughout her life, and everywhere she went she grew remarkable things whether it was flowers or vegetables. In her off time, she enjoyed travelling with Allan and trying their luck at the local casinos.

Shirley was definitely a force to be reckoned with a coffee in one hand and the Webster’s Dictionary in the other.

She was an avid reader and we must remember not to miss the evening news or we had better program the PVR to record it. She had wonderful insights and opinions on local news, current events and politics. Her straight to the point personality left no subject unscathed especially at our family gatherings. You would never leave her house empty handed whether it was an ice-cream pail of homemade cookies or a bag of fresh buns. As we all knew, her favourite go-to beverage was coffee. It had to be Hot and Fresh which she confirmed every time she dined at a restaurant.

We were all truly blessed to love her and to be loved by her in return. Shirley will be greatly missed and forever cherished.

The family would especially like to thank Dr. M. La Cock, who provided exceptional care and empathy during Shirley’s journey. Dr. La Cock gave Shirley peace of mind and a level of compassion and understanding that went above and beyond all expectations. Also a special thanks to the Palliative Care Unit at Penticton Regional Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Moog & Friends Hospice located at 1701 Government St., Penticton, V2A 3G6, www.pentictonhospice.com

As per Shirley’s wishes, a funeral will not take place.

Condolences to the family can be made at www.everdenrust.com

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