Shirley Franks passed away peacefully at Gillis House in Merritt, BC on December 4th, 2010 at the age of 74 years. Shirley is survived by her son Brad (Charlene), daughter Charlene (Dan) and grandsons Zach and Jesse. She was predeceased by her husband Rudy in 2005, parents Harry and Mary Ann Saar, and siblings Myrtle, Kelly, Cliff, Arvella, Roy, Lloyd, and Faye.
Born on May 15th, 1936 in Hanna, Alberta, she attended Bingo School near the family farm in Spondin. Her parents sold the farm in 1951, moving to Chilliwack and buying the Sardis Auto Court Motel. She started working at Pearson’s Grocery in Sardis and later Super-Valu.
Rudy and Shirley were married in 1962 and were soon joined by Brad in 1963, and Charlene in 1965. She spent many hours with the Atchelitz Women’s Institute and Chilliwack Hospital Auxiliary, before returning to work at Zellers until retirement in 1993.
Selling their beloved “Stump Ranch” on Marble Hill in 1992, they started their next project in the Kane Valley near Merritt, clearing the land and having a new home built for their retirement where they shared many weekends entertaining friends and family.
After Rudy’s passing in 2005, Shirley sold the Kane Valley property and moved into Merritt where she was diagnosed with Dementia in 2007. After a brief battle with pneumonia, she joined Rudy and her family for one more card game.
The family would like to thank the nurse and staff at Gillis House for their care and attention during Shirley’s stay.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 14th, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. from Henderson’s Funeral Home Chapel, 45901 Victoria Ave., Chilliwack, BC. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences can be left at www.hendersonsfunerals.com