It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Margaret Shirkie at the Good Samaritan Home in Medicine Hat on April 28, 2021, at the age of 93 years. Margaret is lovingly remembered by her family, Alice (Jim) Hoffart, Mary (Duffy) Rebman, all of Medicine Hat, Alberta, and Andy (Debbie) Shirkie of Cabri, Saskatchewan. She was a cherished grandmother to Derek (Lisa) Hoffart of Regina, Jordan Hoffart (Miranda Lane) of Edmonton, Shawn Rebman (Adara Laycock) of Medicine Hat, Heather (Verna) Neilson of Canning, Nova Scotia, Amie Shirkie (Dean Ziegler) of Saskatoon, Camille Shirkie (Brennan Kilmister) of Saskatoon, and Janice Shirkie (Jesse Butler) of Swift Current. She delighted in her ten great-grandchildren, Elliot and Clara Hoffart, Henry and Hazel Hoffart, Adia and Arlo Neilson, Grayson Rebman, and Mila, Rowan, and Remi Kilmister. She is also survived by two sisters; Dorothy Lytle and Connie Williams; sister-in-law, Maryanne VanBuskirk; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews on both the VanBuskirk and Shirkie sides of the family. Margaret was predeceased by her loving husband of 45 years, Harry Shirkie, in 1996. She also lost three sisters; Vera Reed, Marian Scheelhaase, and Florence Wallis; a brother, David VanBuskirk; as well as five brothers-in-law, Henry Reed, Ray Scheelhaase, Joe Wallis, Bill Lytle and Bevan Williams. Margaret was born at Tuberose, Saskatchewan to Alice and Walter VanBuskirk on June 25, 1927 and grew up as the middle child of a family of seven children on a farm near Kyle, SK. After completing her schooling in Kyle, she worked at the Royal Bank in Swift Current and later in New Westminster, B.C. She married Harry Shirkie on November 4, 1950 in Burnaby, B.C and they moved to their farm at Battrum, SK in the spring of 1951, where they continued to farm until 1983 when they moved to their new home in Pennant, SK. Margaret loved farm life and she was very active in the operation of the farm, running the combine and hauling grain. She and Harry contributed their time and talents to the communities of Battrum and Pennant, through dedicated service to the United Church, 4-H, youth groups, the Senior’s group and the Curling Club, where they were both avid curlers. Margaret loved her summers spent at the cabin at Clearwater Lake – a real gathering place for family and friends!  She enjoyed travelling to Arizona, B.C., Hawaii, the Maritimes and Alaska. In 2002, Margaret moved to Medicine Hat, where she formed new friendships and again spent many hours volunteering on the Social Committee of the Park Meadows Village Condo. She greatly valued her independence and was known for her generosity, hospitality, spunky but practical approach to life and her love of family and friends. It gave her great joy to be surrounded by those she loved! As her health declined, she lived in Meadowlands Senior’s Complex and later in the Good Samaritan Society Home. Her motto was to accept the things that could not be changed, and she was always grateful for the many blessings she had received all throughout her life. The family wish to thank Dr. Jonker and the amazing care team at Good Samaritan for the wonderful compassion, care and support given to Margaret.  There will be a graveside service at the Pennant Cemetery at a later date when the family will be able to gather together. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Good Samaritan Society, 550 Spruce Way SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 4P1 or your charity of choice.

• Date : 2021-04-28
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

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