It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful, sweet mom and grandmother, Shirley Ann Giesbrecht.  Shirley passed peacefully in the arms of her daughter Kimberly, on August 25, 2026, at the Red Deer Hospice.

Shirley will forever be in the hearts of her family, who were the center of her world and loved beyond words.  Her dearly loved daughter Kimberly Berthelette (Giesbrecht), her precious grandsons, Kim’s boys, Garett Berthelette and Shane Lesosky and the girls who she called her beautiful granddaughters, Eva Richardson (Garett’s partner and love of his life) and Wynne Demaere (Shane’s loving girlfriend), all of Red Deer, Alberta.

Shirley was predeceased in 2014 by her husband of 50 years, Henry Giesbrecht of Pine Falls, MB and by her parents Bill and Ina Jordan.

Shirley was born in St Catherines, ON and was raised in her early years in Toronto.  A career move for her father brought her family up north to Sheridan, MB and a later move to Atikokan, ON where she spent her teen years.  Shirley moved to Winnipeg, MB to attend college and it was there she met her Prince Charming Henry and married.  They soon moved from the city to small town Pine Falls, MB to work and raise a family.

Shirley worked at many places over the years in Pine Falls.  She was employed at The Hudson Bay, Pine Pharmacy, Dental Office, Eye Doctor and lastly Canada Post until her retirement.

Shirley was very active in the community with organizations and volunteering.  She taught Brownies, Girl Guides and Survival Swimming.  She belonged to the Hospital auxiliary and the Legion auxiliary and volunteered helping seniors and was an active member of the United Church and choir.  Shirley received her 60-year pin for membership in the Royal Canadian Legion and her 50-year pin from the Order of the Eastern Star.  She did many hours of charity work alongside her husband Henry with the Masonic Lodge and Shriners raising funds for aid for the burned and crippled children’s fund. It was a dedication with no end for the two of them.

In retirement Shirley and Henry travelled extensively.  They spent many years wintering and enjoying the sunshine in Texas, their favourite spot being the beach in South Padre Island.  It was the place where they celebrated many wedding anniversaries on Dec 21, listening to music and dancing on the sand.

When not volunteering or traveling Shirley’s most precious time was spent with her grandsons babysitting, baking, reading stories, watching their sports and listening to their stories.

In 2019, Shirley left Pine Falls and moved to Alberta to be closer to her daughter and grandsons who had relocated there.  Shirley loved Alberta and all her adventures.  With her love of music, she was able to enjoy singing and dancing in some of the city’s hot spots, go to concerts and live theatre.  Most importantly her family was close together again.

When Shirley’s time came to go, she asked for her Henry to come get her.  When we saw a beautiful big blue dragonfly hovering outside her window we knew he had heard her call and he quietly lifted her away.

Many thanks to the EMS Responders, Red Deer Hospital Emergency team, Unit 32 nursing staff, and Dr Brar for you care and compassion.  A huge hug and thank you to Dr Badenhorst for all your visits, phone calls, honesty and compassion.  Thank you Red Deer Hospice nurses, HCA’s, chefs, bereavement team, and volunteers.  I have never been encompassed by so many beautiful caring people.  Your care given to my mom and family goes beyond anything I’ve experienced.  To the very special people whom I’m so fortunate to call my friends, Liane Bruneau, thank you for the offer to fly out from MB, for the beautiful very specific flowers, for being my sounding board and letting me cry, scream, be mad, fall apart and repeat at any or every hour, day or night, every single day of mom’s journey.

Sally McIntosh, thank you for the daily phone calls and texts, listening, and for your experience and guidance with the hard questions.

Wendy McElderry, thank you for the daily texts and check ins, the hot homemade meal delivery, pet sitting, the lovely gift and for arriving at hospice in those final moments.
Tara Dowding, thank you for the calls and texts and checking in at hospice.

Larry Schulhauser, thank you for rushing to emergency and staying with me and mom, for the comfort when reality hit, for your countless hours and days spent with me and mom at hospital and hospice and for all the rides and errands, late chats and hugs.

Eva Richardson, thank you for arriving at hospital so quickly, for the flowers and snacks, for supporting Garett, for taking time off to stay at hospital, for spending every lunch hour with nana.

Wynne Demaere, thank you for the midnight run to Calgary airport to bring Shane home from work to hospital, for supporting Shane and our family.

My boys, Garett and Shane, I thank you most of all for being the men I raised you to be.  For loving your family and supporting me and each other through this difficult time and being the team we’ve always been.  Thank you for the man hugs you gave me, for rushing home from job sites to be with nana, for the hours and days spent by her bedside, the calls and FaceTimes to her.  Thank you for always loving your nana and making her feel special.  You were her world.

There will be no service at this time.

A private family scattering of Shirley’s and Henry’s ashes will take place at a later date in South Padre Island, Texas

Condolences to Shirley’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net. Please indicate “Shirley Giesbrecht” in the subject line.

 Arrangements in care of

Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service

A locally owned and operated cremation and

funeral provider serving Red Deer and Central Alberta

587-876-4944

• Date : 2026-09-20
• Location : MEANINGFUL MEMORIALS FUNERAL SERVICE Red Deer AB "Locally Owned and Operated"