Shirley Allin, aged 89 years, passed away at Manitou Lodge in Watrous on August 29, 2018 surrounded by family and friends.
Shirley Elfreda Milligan was born March 25, 1929 to parents Jack and Lillian Milligan of Manitou Beach. On April 9, 1947 she married Merle Allin and they enjoyed farm life and raised four children at the “Allin farm” north of Lake Manitou. They farmed until 1973 when they moved to Manitou Beach where Merle was caretaker and Shirley was head cook at Camp Easter Seal. They retired to Watrous in 1980. Shirley spent countless hours volunteering with the Watrous Figure Skating Club and she received the Centrum Achievement Award for outstanding dedication and commitment to figure skating. In 1988 she received the Gold Medal Volunteer Celebration 88 Award from the Government of Canada recognizing hard work, determination, moral character and dedication to community. She enjoyed helping out at Interlake and HomeCare. Shirley was extremely creative and enjoyed knitting, sewing, painting, building, making floral arrangements, etc. - she was always making or fixing something. She spent many hours in the garden in the summer and she loved to birdwatch out her kitchen window with the binoculars. After Merle passed away, Shirley bravely lived alone in her home in Watrous until 2016. She then required extra care and went to the lodge in Lanigan before moving to her final residence at Manitou Lodge in Watrous in 2017. The family would like to thank Manitou Lodge for their compassion and care and for always trying to make Shirley smile during her time there.
Left to remember her are siblings Jacqueline, Audry, Kenneth and Cecil; children Russell (Sharon), Leslie (Wendy), Ivan (Rita) and Myrna (Wes); and so many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
As per Shirley’s request there will be no funeral service. For those so wishing donations made to Saskatchewan Abilities Council Camp Easter Seal would be appreciated.