1933 - 2016
We regret to announce that Shirley Ruth Parsons (McGinnis), of Mara and Enderby passed away after a battle with cancer, on November 30 th at the age of 83. Shirley was born July 14, 1933 to William and Ruth McGinnis. She attended the University of British Columbia after graduating high school and studied French. She later went to work at C.N. Telegraph as a teletype operator. She married her sweetheart Charlie on April 30, 1955. Earlier this year they celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.
Music was a big part of mom’s life. She began playing for the church in Waldo where she grew up when she was 12-years-old. She accompanied the GEMS (a Grindrod, Enderby, Mara, and Sicamous choir) and also sang with them. She was the pianist for the United Church in Enderby for 20 years and played at numerous weddings and funerals. She was a 4H leader, Cub Scout leader, and a long-time member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mom and Dad also loved to square dance. On top of all that, Mom was an integral part of the farm operation, pitching in with whatever was necessary whether it was keeping the books, haying, milking cows, or bottle feeding orphaned lambs.
Shirley is survived by her husband Charles; son Bill Parsons (Marguerite); daughter Marian Karvonen (Alan); daughter Judy Parsons (Walter Wilk); brother Ken McGinnis (Lois); 10 grandchildren; and 3 great grand children. Mom was loved and we will miss her!
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at the Mara Community Church with Rev. Ted Roworth officiating. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Clean Water Project Mara Community Church or the Salvation Army. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.MyAlternatives.ca
Cremation arrangements entrusted to ALTERNATIVES FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES® Armstrong 250-546-7237 & Vernon 250-558-0866