It is with heavy hearts that the family of Shirley Anne Emma Dean (nee Riel), aged 89 years, announces her peaceful passing, after a brief illness, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
She was born on March 31, 1935 in Fort William, the youngest of 11 children. After high school, Shirley entered nurses training at McKellar Hospital, graduating in 1956. The following year she married the love of her life, Gary, and they went on to welcome 4 children together. Shirley nursed at McKellar Hospital and later at Hogarth-Westmount Hospital before enjoying retirement.
For several years during the 80’s and 90’s, Shirley and Gary wintered in Texas and later enjoyed trips to Southern Ontario and Minneapolis to visit their children and grandchildren. Summers were spent at Cummins Lake surrounded by family.
Shirley was predeceased by parents Edward and Alice Riel and siblings Eric, Janie, Ray (Marge), Keith (Mona), Bill (Grace), Jack, Bob (Maude) Riel, Marguerite Thompson (Frank), Bernice Stringer (Larry), Mildred Husiak (Harry), sister-in-law Wilma Riel as well as mother and
father-in-law Tina and George Dean, sister-in-law Jackie Newberry (Bruce) and brothers-in-law Bobby and Donnie Dean.
She will be sadly missed by her husband Gary, children Laurie Wells (Larry), Marlys Maver, Kathie Craik (Scott) and Craig Dean, grandchildren Brianne Turgeon (Colin), Matthew Maver, Kelly Winker (Andrew), Hayley Wells, Alex Wells, Tyler Craik, Nick Craik and Sydney Dean, great-grandchildren Charli, Bella, Avery, Rylee and Emmy, sisters-in-law Nina Riel and Linda Dean as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by her bonus daughter-in-law Nicki Hansen and bonus grandson Ryan Hansen, both in Minnesota.
Cremation has taken place. A family interment and celebration of life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation or Kitty Kare.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
