Obituary of Shirley Grace Pybus

Shirley Pybus, a long-time resident of Spirit River, Alberta passed away on Saturday, August 5, 2017 in Fairview, Alberta at the age of 91 years. Shirley Grace and her twin, Audrey, were born on December 16, 1925 in Blackie, Alberta to Cecil and Ruth Marshall. These girls were born at home and delivered by their father weighing in at 2 and 3 pounds, respectively. They were kept warm in shoeboxes on the oven door, in tiny clothes made by their mom from the cuff's of their dad's old long johns. The Marshall family moved from Blackie to Calgary to Cranbook, and finally to a mixed berry farm at Ladner, B.C. (known as Delta now). Shirley completed her education there and went on to secretarial school. Shirley met Norman, a local farmer, in Ladner and they were married on September 20, 1944. Norman was farming with his father and brother and in 1949 decided to venture on his own. This led Norman and Shirley to Fort St. John, then Armstrong, and Bowden before heading to the Peace River Country. In 1960 they settled south of Spirit River. Their family now consisted of Del, born in 1946 in Ladner, Bev born in 1949 in Fort St. John, Rocky born in 1954 in Armstrong, and Phil born in 1957 also in Armstrong. Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, and farmer at Norman's side. During the years on the farm she and Norman made many friends in the area with many debates, stories and laughter. Shirley kept the household in order, grew a big garden on the farm, and could replace a zipper as needed or re-design a suit or a dress for herself or their daughter Bev. Unfortunately Norman's health and eyesight failed and Shirley tended to all of his needs and requests. Norman passed away in January of 1979, and another chapter of her life began. She started working at the Spirit River Hospital in the kitchen and of course a regular paycheck which led to shopping trips in Grande Prairie, Dawson Creek or Fairview. In 1983 she moved into town leaving the farming to Phil and Barb. Shirley joined the TOPS Chapter many years ago making another circle of friends. Shirley loved singing, drawing and painting. Her faith drew her to church on Sundays and her helpful giving spirit to the church hall to assist in the kitchen. She also loved the color purple, and she even managed to have a purple shag rug in the living room in the house on the farm. Shirley spent the last four years in Long Term Care in Fairview and her family is grateful to the staff for the care that she had received. Shirley was predeceased by her brother Bev, her sister Helen, her twin sister Audrey, her husband Norman, and her grandson Brad Moore. Shirley is survived by her children; Del (Marion) Pybus, Rocky (Dana) Pybus, Bev (Barry) Moore and Phil (Barb) Pybus, along with eleven grandchildren; Kathy Pybus (Tayen Godfrey), Karen (Chris) Danylchuk, Michele Pybus (Michael Ott), Bo (Erika) Moore, Bobbi Lynn Moore (Dean Koehli), Dallas (Leslie) Pybus, Natasha (Pat) McLaughlin, Lacey (Vern) Jackson, Tiffany, Chance, and Miranda Pybus, as well as fourteen great grandchildren; Charlie and Sam Godfrey, Cayden and Jaron Danylchuk, Kole and Elise Moore, Brittany Maron, Landon Stakiw, Gracie and Miley Pybus, Jacob and Cassidy McLaughlin, Drew and Nate Jackson. A Memorial Service was held on Monday, August 14, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Spirit of the Peace United Church, 4902-45 Avenue, Spirit River, AB. Reverend Joan Kennedy officiated. Interment will be held at a later date. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Shirley to Fairview Health Complex Continuing Care Unit 2, PO Bag 2201, Fairview, AB T0H 1L0, or to the Fairview and Area Palliative Care Society, PO Box 552, Fairview, AB T0H 1L0. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium Memorial Service 11:00 am Monday, August 14, 2017 Spirit of the Peace United Church 4902 45 Ave Spirit River, Alberta, Canada T0H3G0