Shirley Maltais

April 18, 1933 ~ December 1, 2024

Shirley Marie Maltais of Medicine Hat passed away at the age of 91 years. She was born in Pennant, SK., to George and Mary Devlin and raised on her maternal grandparents’ homestead at Success, SK where she took all her primary schooling. She then traveled to Portage la Prairie, Manitoba to train in psychiatric nursing for a year before returning home to Success. Along with the Devlin family, Shirley moved from their generational farm to the nearby “big apple” of Swift Current (affectionately known as Speedy Creek), where Shirley worked as a bookkeeper for Tripp Lumber (aka Beaver Lumber in later years). It was during this period that Shirley met Mark Maltais, a drilling rig worker from Alberta. Long story short, they were married June 1st, 1954. The nature of Mark’s job dictated that they move around a-lot. While living in their trailer, they lived in Webb, Gull Lake and Swift Current where Rena, their first daughter, was born in 1955. The next move was further away and in 1957, Estevan, SK became their new home. Mark left that winter to work in NWT while Shirley moved back to Swift Current to stay with her parents. Upon Mark returning in the spring, they moved back to Estevan where they built a skidshack, moving it to Weyburn, SK where they experienced the birth of their son, Patrick in 1959. They then moved to Oxbow, SK where their second daughter, Dallas was born in 1963 and in the fall of that year, they once again pulled stakes and returned to Swift Current to build their first home on the south side. All three kids received their schooling in this community. Mark and Shirley enjoyed being back with family and friends. Shirley was a girl guide leader for 8 years, then helped out with the young Beavers (boy scouts). She was employed with the credit department of Beaver Lumber and it was during this period that Mark and Shirley bought their beloved cabin at Beaver Flats where they enjoyed quality times with family and friends for 20 years. In 1980, Mark was seconded by Mobil Oil to the middle east, so off Mark and Shirley went to live out new adventures in Abu Dhabi, UAE for 6 years and traveled extensively around the planet on their time off work. To name a few….all of Great Britain, Greece, France, Holland, Japan, China, Singapore, Thailand, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, many states and most provinces. When Mark passed away in 2003, Shirley later moved to Medicine Hat in 2018 to be near family. Leaving to both mourn and celebrate her life are her two remaining children, Patrick Maltais and Dallas O’Neill; son-in-law, Barry (Rena †) McVeigh; seven grandchildren, James (Lauren) McVeigh, Peter (Kate) McVeigh, Gerald (Vanessa) McVeigh, Quintessa (Darren) Maltais, Alexandra Maltais, Felix Maltais and Raymond O’Neill; four great-grands, Weston, Houston, Maddie, Michelle; sister, Audrey Lines; nieces, Marcy (Brian) Brighton, Arleen Zeleny, Mary Ellen (Ron) Buye; nephews, Garry and Todd Lines as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Mark (2003); daughter, Rena McVeigh (2020); parents, George and Mary Devlin; brother, Raymond Devlin; in-laws, Thomas and Amanda Maltais as well as many other extended family members. Shirley was a strong and independent redhead who was always ready to share her playful side. She was loved by many and will be missed. Dignified cremation has taken place. Shirley will be placed beside her loving soulmate, Mark, at Memorial Gardens in Swift Current at a later date. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reflections Reception Facility, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4. Telephone 403-527-6455

• Date : 2024-12-01
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

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