Obituary of Shirley (Mickey) Ann Wolfe

September 22, 1931 – Blairmore, Alberta

December 25, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

With great sadness, the family of Shirley Wolfe (nee Montalbetti) announce that she passed peacefully in her own home at age 90.

She is survived by her three devoted sons, Wayne, Jay, and Kevin; beloved daughters-in-law, Jan and Yvonne; much loved grandchildren, Jennifer (Marc), Jocelyn (Mike), Liam (Maddy), and Drew (Camille); and great-grandchildren, Sabine and Adelle. Shirley is also survived by a large extended family from southern Alberta.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband Wendell; parents Peter and Lilian Montalbetti; and sister Jean (Mario).

Growing up in Blairmore, Shirley had an active life, enjoying hiking, skiing and tennis. She developed a love for music, becoming an accomplished pianist and singer. In 1949 Shirley travelled to Edmonton to attend the University of Alberta. She was keenly involved in sorority life, building friendships that were to last her lifetime. Here she met her husband, Wendell. She graduated with a Bachelor of Education majoring in music in 1953. Shirley started her career as a teacher at Spruce Avenue School in Edmonton. In 1954 she moved to Calgary where she taught at Connaught School and achieved her permanent professional certificate in 1955. Shirley married Wendell on August 29, 1955, leaving teaching to create a warm and welcoming family home in Calgary. Three sons soon followed. While raising her family, she was actively involved with St. Andrew’s Anglican Church and Christ Church Calgary. She was on the YWCA board to build a new facility in the 1970s. She was a proud member of the Glencoe Club and later in life enjoyed her membership at the Calgary Golf and Country Club. Shirley loved to travel, often accompanying Wendell on trips for business and industry organizations.

With Wendell’s retirement in 1991, they enjoyed escaping the Calgary winters to their home in Victoria. Here Shirley continued her interests in music, art, reading and gardening. After the death of Wendell in 1996, and rebounding from breast cancer, Shirley travelled extensively, visiting all seven continents. She also enjoyed time at the lake, beach holidays with her grandchildren and visiting her son who was living in Europe. Shirley loved get-togethers with friends, whether to play bridge or to have an evening out to the cinema or theatre. It was an opportunity for her to indulge her love of fashion; she was always elegantly dressed. She will be remembered for her laughter, her quick wit, and for always having a mint humbug in her purse should you have a tickle in your throat. But most of all, she will be remembered for her devotion to Wendell and her family.

She will be deeply missed. A family gathering will be held later this year. If friends so desire, memorial tributes of Shirley may be made directly to United Way of Calgary and Area, www.calgaryunitedway.org. or to Alberta Cancer Foundation, Calgary Cancer Centre, www.albertacancer.ca.