Shirley M. Shnider

1934 - 2022

SHIRLEY SHNIDER, R.N. Died peacefully, surrounded by dear friends, and family, at Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, May 20, 2022, at the age of 87. Left to mourn are her sons, Harold (Catherine Clark) and Charles (Jane Northey); grandchildren, Andrew and Nathalie Shnider; Madeleine and Simone Northey, and sister Roberta Nicholson. Shirley is predeceased by her husband Mervyn; father, Adam Nicholson; mother, Inez Nicholson; and sisters, Rita Fisher and Agnes Aberdeen.

Shirley was born in Hamiota, MB, the third of four daughters. With her father taking a clerk's position with the Department of Indian Affairs, she grew up in Birtle and Dauphin, MB. After high school graduation in Dauphin, she entered nursing training at Dauphin General Hospital, where she made lifelong friends.

Following graduation, Shirley practiced nursing in Halifax, NS, and Brandon, MB, eventually moving to Flin Flon, MB to work in the "Company" Hospital operated by Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting. There, she met her lifelong partner, Dr. Mervyn Shnider, and they married in 1962.

Shirley was an active member of the Flin Flon community. She was an active member and leader of the Flin Flon Hospital Auxiliary and helped organize the inaugural Northern Juried Art Show - an annual showcase for Northern Manitoba visual artists. Later on, she acquired an active interest in golf, and served on the executive of the Manitoba Ladies Golf Association in the mid to late-80's.

After retirement to Victoria in 1990, Shirley settled into a new life, free of snow and ice. She was a long-serving member of the Victoria Floral Artists Guild, with many of her arrangements displayed at Government House. She was a regular attendee of Cadboro Bay United Church, and a member of Uplands Golf Club. Shirley and Merv were subscribers to the Victoria Symphony and greatly enjoyed Victoria's arts community.

Shirley truly enjoyed being a grandmother and took pride in seeing her grandchildren grow and excel in their academics and hobbies. She was loved by her family and friends and will be deeply missed.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Drs. Laura Phillips and Lauren Dewart for their excellent ongoing care with Shirley. The family would also like to thank the staff of Berwick House, for their care of Shirley over the past year and a half, and the 8NE ward of the Royal Jubilee Hospital.

A celebration of Shirley's life will take place on June 18, 2022 (2:00 - 4:00) at the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, Victoria, BC. Livestreaming services will be available. Donations in Shirley's memory can be made to the Flin Flon Arts Council (flinflonartscouncil.ca/donate) or the United Church of Canada Mission and Service Fund.
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