It is with great sadness we mourn the loss of Shirley Elaine Payne (nee Schmidt), who passed peacefully on Sunday, March 7, 2021.
Shirley was born during the “dirty thirties” on a farm in Saskatchewan in 1936. She leaves to mourn her four children, Belinda Knopf (James), David Payne (Shelley), Shari Lee Baker (Rick), and John Payne (Sheri). Her eight grandchildren, Amanda Janzen (Matt), Jason Godin (Suzanne), Lauren Zoppa, Dawn-Marie Walls-Dahl, Shane Payne, Ryan Payne (Amanda), Ashley and Carter Payne and five great grandchildren, Sophie Janzen, Brooke Zoppa, Kaylee and Remi Payne and William Godin.
Shirley was the youngest of three children. She is survived by her loving, oldest sister, Inez Striemer (Irvine) who reside in Winnipeg, Manitoba and her dear, dear friend, Marie Bock. Shirley was predeceased by her husband, John in 2012, her parents David and Esther Schmidt and her sister Joyce Warnock.
After a short detour to Michigan with her family as a baby, the family put down roots in Winnipeg, where she lived until she married our dad, John in 1958. Upon her marriage, she moved to Chicoutimi, Quebec, where two of her four children were born. After dad left the RCAF, they moved back to Winnipeg for a time before finally landing in Fort Frances in 1965.
Mom was quick to get her children involved in activities and she spent many hours at the rink where her children figure skated. She served on several committees and boards, including The Border Figure Skating Club, The Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Fort Frances Little Theatre, for which she also added actress to her list of accomplishments as one of the sisters in their production of Arsenic and Old Lace.
Mom was musically gifted. She had a lovely voice and for many years served as the organist at The Salvation Army. She also worked in the Thrift Store, and we think she brought more home than she ever sold. Mom was a great baker, and her wares were shared with many. If you were coming for a visit, she was sure to have your favourites ready for consumption!
Until her health limited her, she was active with friends and babysitting her grandchildren. One date you could never change, was Friday afternoon lunch with Marie, and although Mom’s health prevented this in the last few years, they had a conversation every day until her recent stay in the hospital.
Family was present every hour in her last days and her loss is bittersweet, as we rejoice in her freedom from the pains that plagued her, we grieve her absence.
A special thanks to Dr. Nugent and the staff on the palliative ward at The La Verendrye Hospital – they were so supportive and caring during this difficult time. At Shirley’s request there will be no funeral. If friends so desire, donations may be made in her memory to a charity of choice. c/o Northridge Funeral Home Ltd., Box 89, Emo, ON P0W 1E0.