It looks like you are viewing this on a mobile device. Would you like to use the mobile version? No thanks.
It looks like your device can support the full version of the site. Would you like to view that instead? No thanks.
Email to a friend Tweet This Send to Facebook Share on Google+
  Login
Shirley Anne Irwin
May 26, 1935 - January 7, 2017
Return to the Memorial Getting Started Administration Inbox  
Return to Getting Started  
Return to the Memorial Help Extend the Memorial Order a Keepsake Book  
Obituary Eulogy Guestbook Biography Photos Media Life Stories Family Tree Contribute
<div itemprop="description">Shirley Ann Irwin (nee Crocker) age 81 years, of Calgary Alberta, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family January 7, 2017. Her passing followed a 2 1/2 year battle with cancer. She was born and raised in Fort William (Thunder Bay) Ontario where she married (Robert Irwin) and raised her family. She is survived by her five children Leslie Lehto (Doug) of Calgary, Doug (Chris) of Thunder Bay, Robin Luck (Robin) of Jacksonville, FL, Tom (Deanne) of Penetanguishene Ont and Terri (Blaine Chrysler) of Calgary. Also surviving are her 8 grandchildren Jillian (Jared), Jordan (Nicole), Scott (Sharlene), Kim (Eric), Kristin (Jonas), Ryan, Michelle (Michael), Jenna (Morgan) and her great Grandchildren Logan, Leila, Alex, Cameron, Raif, Campbell, Freja, Kailynn, Brooke, Lauryn, Lukas, Laikyn, & Brinley. She is also survived by her stepmother Iris (Mickey) Crocker and step siblings, Candy, Kelly and Bobby. <br><br>She was predeceased by her father Stanley Crocker, mother Claire McGlenning and brother Terry along with 4 step siblings Bud, Bruce, Penny and Billy.<br><br>For Mom, family was everything and it was her wish that they build a country home in 1962 and move to Riverdale. Some of our fondest memories included summer mornings spent with our grandparents making breakfast at their cottage on the property, followed by Papa's daily project. We spent lazy summer afternoons swimming in the Kam River and riding our horses and bikes. Our parents were avid boaters and Mom spent many hours prepping for weekends out on Lake Superior. With kids going in every direction the one constant was Sunday dinners and Mom was adamant that everyone sit down and enjoy it together. Mom loved to sing and was a chorus member in several Lakehead Choral Group performances. Over the years, she also sang in a number of church choirs.<br><br>Once Mom's youngest was in school, she worked in the ski shop of Loch Lomond Ski area followed by several years at the Thunder Bay assessment office. Mom had a flare for fashion so her next position as the manager of Pennington's Ladies Wear was a good "fit". Mom's last and most interesting position was after she moved to Whiterock BC where she was the administrative assistant to Robert E. Swanson, published Canadian poet and owner of Air Chimes Tuned Whistle Systems. In 1997 she retired to Calgary where she could be close to her western family. Mom adored her great grandchildren and in spite of distance, she delighted in their pictures and videos which kept them close to her heart. Mom had some wonderful lifelong friends and remained in close contact with them until the end.<br><br>Our sincere gratitude goes out to the nurses and caregivers of Evanston Grand Village who took such good care of Mom over the last 2 1/2 years. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Raj Sharma who became Mom's trusted and compassionate advocate and whose warm and attentive bedside manner was exemplary. Special thanks to Mom's good friend and spiritual advisor Pastor Phillip Koster who re-ignited her connection to her God and the hereafter.<br><br>Cremation has taken place and as per Mom's wishes a family memorial service will take place at a later date. “Some say that when a light goes out on earth, it only shines brighter in heaven”.<br><br><br> <br></div>