Obituary of DREWNIAK – Shirley Gladys

December 27, 1920 – December 31, 2010 Shirley Drewniak passed away on Friday, December 31, 2010, just four days after her 90th birthday. She was born on December 27, 1920, in Hamilton, ON, to parents John Wilbor and Myrtle Dunn, and was the oldest of six children. Her family moved around a lot in her younger years, living in the United States, Northern Ontario, finally settling in Dunchurch, ON. When the war started, Shirley moved to Hamilton to work in the factory. She met Ken Dash, who was stationed in Hamilton, and they married in 1944. He was shipped out to War shortly afterward, and was killed in action in 1944. Shirley moved back with her parents to have her son David in 1945. When her mother passed away in 1951, Shirley, David, and her father moved to Alberta. It was there that she met Steve Drewniak, and they married in 1953. They farmed at Cremona for over eleven years, then retired to Calgary. Shirley and Steve took in foster children for over twenty years. One of the little babies that came into the house they decided to adopt. Ross became part of the family in 1970. When Ross started high school, Shirley took up volunteering there. She took up paper toile and enjoyed gifting her work to friends and family. In 1999, Steve passed away, and Shirley moved to a senior’s residence in Airdrie to be closer to her family. She enjoyed her time there, even though she found the change hard. Her health then got to the point where she had to make another move to the Bethany Care facility in 2004. This was again very difficult for her to adjust to, but that did not stop her from finding lasting friendships with other residents and the staff. She had the opportunity to attend church thanks to friends taking her. She had been involved with various churches over the years, and enjoyed this opportunity to get back to attending church again and being part of the church family. Shirley was predeceased by parents Myrtle Dunn Wilbor and John Wilbor; infant sister Frances Madeleine in 1924; husband Ken Dash, husband Steve Drewniak; brother-in-law Marvin Sunderland; sister-in-law Maud Barker; and brother-in-law Hilton Barker. She is lovingly remembered by sons David (Georgine) Dash and Ross (Cheryl) Drewniak; the Dash grandchildren Christine (Thomas) and her children Morgan and Lauryn, Heather (Terry) and her daughter Carissa, Amanda, Tessa (Brad) and her daughter Kate; the Drewniak grandchildren Dawson, Hailey, and Kianna; sisters Mary (Don) Gagnon, Olive Levesque, Pat (Ernie) Courvoisier; brother John (Lillian) Wilbor; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Funeral Services will be held at Cornerstone Foursquare Church (130 Albert Street, Airdrie) on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at Airdrie Cemetery. Forward condolences through . If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to the Four Directions Foster Association of Calgary (4869 Hubalta Road S.E., Calgary, Alberta T2B 1T5, (403) 273-4026). In living memory of Shirley Drewniak, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Airdrie Funeral Home, 300 TOWERLANE DRIVE, AIRDRIE. Telephone: (403) 948-1100.