It is with profound sadness that the family of Shirley Marie (nee Eggerman) Thoms of Chilliwack, BC, announces her death at Chitek Lake, SK, on Sunday, August 29, 2010. She was 67 years of age. Shirley was born on November 21, 1942, to Raymond and Hattie (nee Schmeiser) Eggerman at Humboldt. She was raised on the farm near Fulda and then in the Marysburg district. Shirley attained her grade 1 education in Fulda, grades 2 to 11 in Marysburg, and grade 12 in Bruno and Englefeld. She then attended Teachers College in Saskatoon. Upon receiving her teacher's certificate, Shirley taught at St. Joseph's Elementary School in Saskatoon for two years, followed by one year each at Lloydminster and Wainwright, AB, and then 35 years in Chilliwack, BC, where she retired from teaching. Over the years, she served on numerous curriculum committees, was active in the local Teachers' Association, and played a leading role in helping the British Columbia Ministry of Education introduce the kindergarten curriculum to the province. As well, in her retirement, Shirley worked closely with members of the R.C.M.P. and Victim Services in Chilliwack. She was viewed by her colleagues as a leader and innovator in education and used her organizational skills in all her endeavours. In her leisure time, Shirley enjoyed buying and selling antiques in Canada and the United States. She loved music, singing, dancing - particularly ballroom dancing, and was an accomplished pianist and accordion player. Shirley also had a passion for the beautiful province of British Columbia. She derived great pleasure from her flowers, sightseeing along the Pacific Ocean, and gazing at the mountains, especially snow-capped Mt. Cheam, which she could view from her window. Shirley will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her partner and soul-mate, Doug Nordick of Chitek Lake; mother, Hattie (nee Schmeiser) Eggerman of Humboldt, SK; uncles and aunts: Arnold Eggerman of Watson, SK, Raymond (Esther) Schmeiser of Middle Lake, SK, Helen Musty of Humboldt, Alma (Clint) White of Regina, SK, Martha Eggerman and Johanna Eggerman, both of Watson; numerous cousins; her many teacher colleagues in Chilliwack; innumerable students she taught throughout her illustrious career; and by members of the R.C.M.P. and Victim Services in Chilliwack. She was predeceased by her father, Raymond Eggerman (December 23, 2009); maternal grandparents, Rudy and Mary Schmeiser; paternal grandparents, William and Mary Eggerman; and by five uncles and one aunt: Tony Musty, John Eggerman, Henry Eggerman, Albert (Cecilia) Eggerman, and Lawrence Eggerman. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Saturday, September 4, 2010, at 10:30 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Emile April. Others taking part were: Betty Hauser, cross bearer; Ingrid Eggerman and Clint White, scripture readers; Marjorie Eckl and Audrey Brockman, intentions; Audrey Brockman, psalmist and acclamation; Marilyn Amos and Joan Huggins, gift bearers; Helen Musty and Gen Doetzel, eucharistic ministers. The eulogy was delivered by Doug Nordick. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Shirley's life." Active pallbearers were Louise Musty-Shipman, Marian Basset, Ingrid Eggerman, Cindy Eggerman, Debbie Eggerman-Graham and Judy Eggerman. Interment took place at St. Augustine R.C. Cemetery on Wednesday, September 8, 2010. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Humboldt District Hospital Equipment Campaign, Humboldt, or Victim Services, Chilliwack. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
