Date of Birth: March 25, 1936
Date of Death: November 12, 2024
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, Shirley Helen Blakley (Loveridge) passed away peacefully with amily by her side following her battles with cancer.
Shirley was born March 25, 1936, on the home farm near Grenfell, SK. She grew up on the farm and later moved into town. Family was close by, and cousins were the source of many special childhood memories. Shirley attended school at the Old Stone Pile at Grenfell, SK, where lifelong friendships were made. This group gathered in the Qu’Appelle Valley area for class reunions for many years, and Shirley continued to stay in touch with her high school classmates.
Shirley had achieved her teacher’s certificate and met Les when both were teaching in Fort Qu’Appelle. They married in 1964 at Grenfell United Church. Their teaching careers took them to Nipawin and then, in 1967, to Melville where they settled. While in Melville, Shirley taught Resource Room and Grade 2 and completed her Bachelor of Education in 1986. Les and Shirley made their home in Melville for 55 years where they raised their two children.
Shirley was active in the community. She was a member of Melville in Bloom, and there were many years of involvement with First United Church helping with church fall suppers and providing music leadership on the piano and organ, accompanying the choir and playing for worship services.
Music was a big part of Shirley’s life. Over the years, she played for hundreds of children while accompanying school musicals, school choirs at music festivals, and drama productions; she taught piano lessons to a number of students, accompanied the Melville Community Men’s Choir, led a Sing-along-with-Shirley’ at her home at the Bentley after moving to Saskatoon in 2022 to be closer to family, and continued to attend any musical performances being put on at her places of residence.
Shirley was a gardener at heart. Her yards full of flowers both in Melville and at the lake could rival those of any park setting. In retirement, she enjoyed travel, knitting, gardening, birdwatching, volunteering, spending time with grandchildren, retired teachers’ gatherings, and coffee groups or lunch with friends.
The nearby cabin at the lake was a very important place for gatherings of family and friends for so many years.
Simple childhood joys experienced at the lake by Dawna and Allan were passed along to the next generation, and things came full circle as the grandchildren created new lake memories. Grandma is well remembered for teddy bear breakfast pancakes at the lake, and creatively constructed and decorated cakes celebrating summer birthdays.
Shirley is survived by her daughter, Dawna (Jason) Shand, son Allan Blakley, grandchildren Matthew Shand, Kyla Shand, JD (Jasmine) Blakley, Collin (Kim Locke) Blakley and Hunter Blakley, and great-grandchildren Aurora Locke and Maverick Blakley.
She was predeceased by her husband of nearly 60 years, Les, parents Dorothy (Dot) and Fred Loveridge, sister Grace Loveridge, parents-in-law Bill and Alice Blakley, and brothers-in-law Arthur and Gordon.
A family graveside service was held on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, with the Rev. Brian Mee officiating. Shirley took her final resting place beside Les, in the Melville City
Cemetery Columbarium.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
