Peacefully on March 27, 2018 Shirley Ann Hucaluk of Medicine Hat, Alberta passed away suddenly in her home at the age of 73 years.

Shirley was predeceased by her father Peter Matkowski (1990) her mother Sophie (Chuhay) 2009, her brother Bernie (1995) and partner Rene Blanchette (2015). She leaves to mourn her passing, her daughter Sue (Perry) Hehr of Medicine Hat, Alberta; one stepson Jason Blanchette (Carol Ting) of Surrey, British Columbia; two sisters, Evelyn Fleming of Winnipegosis Manitoba, Marlene (Gary) Namaka of Stonewall, Manitoba and her brother Barry (Deb) Matkowski of Matlock, Manitoba; two grandchildren Amanda Hehr of Vancouver, British Columbia and Nolan Hehr (Jade Chesney) of Medicine Hat, Alberta as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Shirley was born on February 17, 1945 in Winnipegosis Manitoba to Peter and Sophie Matkowski (nee Chuhay), the oldest of five children. After Shirley was of school age they moved from Duck Bay to Winnipegosis where she received her elementary and high school education. As a teenager, Shirley enjoyed figure skating and performed at Winter Carnivals in Winnipegosis. Following graduation, Shirley and her best friend Gloria moved to “the city” (Winnipeg) to pursue their dreams. It was there that Shirley landed a job with Air Canada (at The Richardson Building) in downtown Winnipeg, as a key punch operator. In 1965, after the birth of her only child Susan, she married Sylvester Hucaluk (later divored). Working for Air Canada gave Shirley the opportunity to travel with family and friends, which she thoroughly enjoyed until she found her passion in a career in Real Estate and pursued that career for over 35 years. While living in Calgary, Alberta around 1980, she met Rene Blanchette, her soon to be life long partner of 35 years. They moved to Ottawa then Toronto where they spent over 15 years making long term friendships along the way. In 2001, Shirley and Rene moved back to Calgary to be closer to her daughter Susan, grandchildren and stepson Jason. After the passing of her partner Rene Blanchette in 2015, Shirley moved to Medicine Hat in November of 2017. Shirley was an excellent cook and enjoyed entertaining family and friends in her home. She also enjoyed the daily word puzzles and crossword puzzles in the local newspaper and more times than not finished even the most difficult ones. Shirley also had an exceptional green thumb which she used to grow numerous household plants and a garden. Everyone who knew Shirley will remember long telephone chats with her. Shirley was never afraid to voice her opinion and was a warrior surviving Cancer three times since 2007.

• Date : 2018-03-27
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

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