Shirley Margaret NEUFELD

1938 - 2023

(84) Of Virgil, Ontario, passed away on April 2, 2023. Shirley was born on November 30, 1938, to Catharine (Loewen) and Jake Sawatsky in Altona, Manitoba. Shirley was their first born and only daughter, later joined by four brothers. She was baptized into the Altona Bergthaler Mennonite church on June 9, 1957. After an active childhood and youth in her small-town community, Shirley attended teacher's college and taught elementary school for two years in Altona, before heading to Winnipeg to attend Canadian Mennonite Bible College. There she met and quickly fell in love with a young man from Ontario by the name of Vic Neufeld. They were married on October 8, 1961, and her life as a fruit grower's wife began in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Her calling was to be a good wife and mother of the best three children a mom could wish for: Jim (b.1962), Don (b.1964) and Sheryl (b.1967). Along with working on the farm during harvest season, she was active at Bethany Mennonite Church playing piano and organ, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, and was a loyal participant in women's and quilting ministries. After retiring from the farm, she and Vic enjoyed many years of travel, and doting on their kids and grandkids. A favourite hobby in the latter part of her life was researching and writing family history. In time she became a mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother, which gave her so much joy. She was very happy to welcome her children's spouses. Her grandchildren were very special to her, and she tried hard to spoil each one of them: Aaron (Alyson), Adrian (Kristi), Zachary (Nicole), Noah (Rachael), Adam, Madalyn, and Lauren. The added bonus of Great Grandchildren filled her with joy: Felix, Maya, Rowan, Kayden, and Veyda. Along with her husband and immediate family, she is survived by her sister-in-law Lorna Sawatsky of Waterloo, and her brothers Terrance (Carol) of Abbotsford, BC; David Alan (Louise) of Red Lake, ON; and Richard of Winnipeg, MB. She is preceded in death by her brother Rodney and sister-in-law Mildred. She will also be missed by her and Vic's close extended families. As a family we are grateful for the care provided by Niagara EMS, Niagara Health System, Dr. Pratik Kalani, and the Niagara North Family Health team, the PSW's and staff of Pleasant Manor/Radiant Care, St. Elizabeth Health Care and NOTL Community Palliative Care Services. Visitation will take place at Bethany Mennonite Church in Virgil, on Sunday April 9th from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and 7:00-8:30 in the evening. The funeral will take place on Monday April 10th at 11:00, followed by a fellowship meal. A private family interment will precede the funeral. Memorial donations can be made to Mennonite Central Committee or to Canadian Mennonite University.