Shirley Irene Smith of Red Deer, Alberta passed away at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on July 17, 2026, at the age of 90 years.

Shirley was born 1936 in Govan, Saskatchewan. She lived in several provinces over her lifetime and settled in Red Deer, Alberta in 1982 and considered Alberta her home. Shirley will be remembered for her great sense of humour and loved a good joke. She worked in several different jobs while arriving in Alberta and all were related to the service industry.

Shirley was a talented seamstress, knitter and a master crocheter who wove love into every stitch. One year she crocheted Christmas ornaments for her children and grandchildren. One Christmas her gift to her children were handmade re-usable bags sewn and created by Shirley, keeping in mind she created these long before the term re-useable bag was mentioned as it is today.

Shirley went back to school to get her grade 12 which she was extremely proud of as we all were. She was loved by all who she met, you were not ever a stranger to her. The Action bus drivers and dispatchers appreciated her homemade bake goods.

Shirley had determination, stubbornness and the passion to keep going when life was not kind was a testament to her convictions and love for God. Shirley found her God home at Bible Baptist Church. Her commitment to God and hoped that knowing her you would come to know him. Shirley’s church was very important to her and was loved by her church family.

Shirley is lovingly remembered by her seven children, Beverly, Helen, Linda, Tina (who passed in 2018), Bert, Karl and Philip. She was extremely excited to see and spend time with her 13 grandchildren.  As the families grew was gifted 10 great grandchildren.

Shirley stayed in contact with extended family and nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Shirley was adopted and re-united with her siblings- 1978 thru 2001 – Patricia, Evelyn, Peggy, Wes, Gordon, Ben, and Sharon- all deceased.

Her brother Leroy and his wife Marilyn continued to be in her life until her passing.

By finding her siblings she discovered her father had a first marriage and she bonded with Ben and his wife Vivian who knew her mother’s brothers. She found out that her youngest brother Gordon had passed before she could meet him and was able to hear stories about his life by his adopted father Dave and Gordon sister Rita.

A Celebration of Shirley’s Life will be held at the Bible Baptist Church, 4618 – 41 Ave., Red Deer AB on August 15^th, 2026, at 3:00 pm.

Condolences to Shirley’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net. Please indicate “Shirley Smith” 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 : 2026-07-26
• Location : MEANINGFUL MEMORIALS FUNERAL SERVICE Red Deer AB "Locally Owned and Operated"