September 28, 1936 - July 14, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shirley Louise Rose Damiani at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at the age of 85 years.
Shirley was born on September 28, 1936; the youngest of seven children born to Charles and Ida Stern. Her youth was spent on the family farm in the Lavesta District, attending school at Lavesta, and riding her beloved horse "Zip."
Shirley became an integral part of the farm work, being significantly younger than her siblings and the only one left at home. As she grew into a young woman, she met a good-looking young man named Reg Damiani who piqued her interest, and they were married in 1954.
Shirley travelled with Reg as he worked the rigs in Alberta, in the days when families could live in the trailer camps set up close to the rig. They lived and had their first two children while residing in those little trailers, which Shirley remembered fondly. In 1960, they purchased the Lavesta District farm from her parents.
Shirley raised her four children, farmed, gardened, built a new house in 1970, and lived and loved as one should.
In 1992, Shirley and Reg sold the home quarter to their son Shane and moved to the next quarter where they built a new house. They remained there until 2014 when they settled into a new home in Rimbey.
Shirley was the consummate mother. She was definitely an involved parent. She had some uncanny abilities (we called them "witch powers"); she seemed to know when something bad was going to happen before it happened (or had just happened). If you thought you had fooled her about something growing up, you probably hadn't (at least not for long!)
Shirley also developed her own private "descriptive terminology" to assist in describing certain things in life the English language was apparently inadequate for, to no end of amusement to her children and grandchildren. Her primary focus was always her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Shirley's love for them was unjudgemental and complete.
During her final hours with her children gathered around her, she demonstrated an amazing level of strength and courage. Her children will carry Shirley's love forward in the care and protection of those precious grandchildren who meant everything to her.
"Forever remembered"
Shirley is survived by her four children; Pamela (Bob) Lawson, Shane (Shelley) Damiani, Darren (Theresa) Damiani, and Shauna (Geoff) Brodie; as well as nine grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and one sister-in-law Beth Damiani. Shirley was predeceased by her husband Reg in 2020; her parents; her father- and mother-in-law, Dominic and Maria Damiani; brothers George, Wilfred, and Norman; sisters Amy, Irene, and Elsie; brothers-in-law Joe Reis, Wilfred Bushey, Harold Cross, Wilfred Marchildon, and Reno Damiani; and sisters-in-law Norma Stern and Lena Marchildon.
With respect for Shirley's wishes, no formal funeral service will be held. A private family interment will take place at a later date when Shirley and Reg will be laid to rest together in the Iola Fairview Cemetery, Bluffton. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Shirley's memory may be made directly to the Iola Fairview Cemetery, R.R. 2, Bluffton, Alberta T0C 0M0.
Condolence messages may be forwarded to the family by visiting: www.ofc-ltd.ca
Cremation Arrangements for the Late Shirley Louise Rose Damiani entrusted to the care of Oberhammer Funeral Chapels Ltd, Rimbey, Alberta 403-843-4445
Oberhammer Funeral Chapels Ltd.