We thank God for the life and the love of Vera Shurvin, who died at Sunset Extendicare in Regina on March 29, three weeks short of her 91st birthday.
Vera was born in Glenbogie, Saskatchewan, and moved as a child to St. Walburg, and then with her family to Prince Albert, where she completed high school and took nurse鈥檚 training. As a Registered Nurse she worked in Prince Albert, Pender Harbour BC, Victoria BC, and the Regina General Hospital. She has been an Associate of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine since 1953.聽 While in Regina she met a theological student, Howard Shurvin, and in 1954 they married. Vera supported Howard鈥檚 ministry in a series of Anglican parishes in the Diocese of Qu鈥橝ppelle, from Lucky Lake, to Shaunavon, Whitewood, Estevan, and finally Maple Creek. Along the way she embraced the roles of mother, homemaker, and parish worker. In Estevan, when her five children were growing up, she returned to nursing part-time, and continued in Maple Creek where she worked in the nursing home.
Vera and Howard retired to an acreage on the edge of Whitewood in 1986, where they enjoyed gardening, raising chickens, walking with Shadow the black lab, and living close to nature. They were blessed with 48 years of married life until Howard died in 2002. Vera was involved in St. Mary鈥檚 church and many community activities in Whitewood.
When her health began to fail, Vera moved to live with her daughter鈥檚 family in Regina. After a couple of years she moved to Joyti Care Home, where she spent two happy years, before she had to move to Sunset Extendicare one year ago.聽
Vera was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Vera Ilsley; her brother Horace in childhood; her siblings Charlie, Roy, Bert, and Winnie; husband Howard; and two sons, Nicholas in 1988, and Thomas in 2007.聽
She will be remembered with love by her sisters, Phyllis Ilsley and Elaine (Alex) Cathcart; her children, Joanne (Walter Martin), Peter (Sally Chaster), and Paul; grandchildren Nicole, Christopher, Victoria, Ariana, and Sasha; a large extended family; many Anglicans from communities where she lived; and others whose lives she touched.聽 聽 聽
Her family thanks the staff at Sunset Extendicare and at Joyti Care Home, and her helpful neighbours in Whitewood for their care.
Funeral Service will be held at St. James the Apostle Anglican Church, 1105 Empress Street, Regina, SK on Wednesday April 5, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vera鈥檚 honour to The Diocese of Qu鈥橝ppelle, 1501 College Avenue, Regina, SK, S4P 1B4, The Primate鈥檚 World Relief and Development Fund, 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2 or The Nature Conservancy of Canada, 1777 Victoria Avenue Suite 700, Regina, SK, S4P 4K5.聽
鈥淰era was always devout in her faith, optimistic, uncomplaining, energetic, and able to see the good in everyone. This world is a sadder place with her death and a better place because of her life.鈥�
聽To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com
