Charna SHAPIRO

SHAPIRO, Charna (Charlotte)
1918-2015

Charna Manolson was born on May 2, 1918, the first baby born to the Montefiore Homesteading Community in Sibbald, Alberta, a farming community created for Jewish immigrants. Her parents, Morris and Fanny (Kline) subsequently moved to Calgary where Charna grew up and spent the rest of her life.
  Before the war, she met her beloved Archie, and they were married in 1940. From that moment until his passing in 2005 they were a team that made Arch and Charn one word. Together they created an open and joyous home.
  Charna was the undisputed matriarch of a large and far-flung family. Her devotion to family was absolute and she became the glue that kept us together and connected. She in turn earned the respect and love of her children (Judy and Richard; Danny and Frieda), her grandchildren (Noa, Jesse, Rebecca and Talia), her siblings (Frank, Willie and Esther), and their partners (Margaret, Ayala and Murray), her nieces and nephews and her devoted caregivers Olive and Russel.
  Her commitment to family was matched by her commitment to the broader community. She was a passionate volunteer who contributed her considerable organizational talents to a variety of causes, in particular Hadassah where she became a national vice- president. Charna taught us how to live a purposeful life with grace, with strength, with dignity and with decency. Aleha HaShalom.
  Charna was laid to rest beside Archie at the Erlton Cemetery on February 16, 2015. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to an organization that will make a difference.