Audrey (Cairnes) Shoemaker

In Loving Memory of

Lillian Audrey Shoemaker

February 5, 1926 - June 27, 2015

It is with heavy yet thankful hearts, for a life well lived, that we announce the passing of Mom on Saturday, June 27, 2015.  Her daughter, Glenda, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren were still home to support and grieve with their families through the loss of Connie on June 20, 2015.  Whether Mom planned this or not, we will never know, but she was surrounded by family her last few days - days filled with story telling, singing, watching the video of her and Dad's life together, laughing, crying, but mostly with love.  She received many kisses and hugs.  Her voice was hoarse but she was able to talk to John and Dan on the phone to tell them she loved them.

Mom was pre-deceased by her daughter Connie, her daughter-in-law Arlene Shoemaker, her parents; James and Vera Cairnes, her siblings; Ervin (Beatrice) Cairnes, Irene (Walter) Young, Hazel Childs, Garvin (Joan) Cairnes, and Don, her brothers-in-law; Nelson (Edith) Shoemaker, Irvin (Bertie) Shoemaker, Cal Shoemaker, Cecil Meyer, and Bill Walker and her sisters-in-law; Sadie (Harvey) Somers and Merle (Bill) Molberg.

She will be greatly missed by Dad, her husband of 70 years.  Mom and Dad's first date was in 1942, when Mom asked Dad to be her escort to graduation.  They were married on November 17th, 1944.  Mom was a great supporter of the new hall and she and Dad were able to celebrate their 70th Anniversary there last year during our family reunion.

Mom loved her community.  She was born here and died here.  She volunteered a lot of her time to the arena concession and to bingo.  She was on the original board of the Grandview Personal Care Home and she served on the first all female school board in Manitoba, along with Doris Brasch and Dot Topham.

She loved watching hockey, baseball and curling.  For years, it was a must to see the Comets and Lakers games.  In her later years, she watched sports on TV and was always asking Dan which sport was on which channel.

She was an organizer of the high school reunion and had her tickets to attend the one this year.

Mom had many friends - many of whom she outlived.  She had an incredible memory and could remember all the dates of her family’s birthdays and anniversaries.  She could tell you who were the original owners of many of the houses in Grandview.

Mom loved her family and they loved her in return. She loved our daily happy hours and if you weren't going to be there, you had to have a real good reason. We will so miss her presence but we will keep her forever in our hearts.  For her, we are all trying to buck up but her passing left a hole in our hearts that will take some time to heal.

Keeping her memory alive is the love of her life Glen, her four legged companion Willie, her son Keith (Betty), her daughters; Candy (Dan) and Glenda (John) and her son-in-law Bruce Lyman.  Also mourning her passing are her 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren - many of who can say they were bounced on her knee while she sang Pony Boy.  She is also survived by brother-in-law Bud Childs and sisters-in-law Beatrice Meyer, Thelma Walker and Eileen Shoemaker, plus many nieces and nephews and extended family that will miss her also.

A funeral service was held on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the Grandview United Church, which Mom attended for many years, officiated by Reverend Steve Wilson.  The Urn Bearer was Audrey’s son, Keith Shoemaker.  Her daughter, Candy Hess delivered the eulogy.  The Grandview United Church Choir led the congregation in singing the hymn “In the Bulb”.  Special songs played during the service were; “When it’s Family” by Dolly Parton and “I’ll Be Seeing You” by Rod Stewart.  

Following the funeral service, a memorial reception was held at the Grandview Kinsmen Community Centre, hosted by the Grandview United Church Women.

Audrey will be laid to rest at a later date in Grandview District Cemetery. 

NAIRN-CHYZ FUNERAL HOME

Entrusted with Arrangements

Roblin’s Only Locally Owned

and Family Operated Funeral Home

(204) 937-2111

nairn-chyzfuneralhome.com