Obituary of Edith Ellen Shaw

SHAW: Edith Ellen Shaw (nee Newsham) passed away peacefully at Sunnyside Manor in Birtle, Manitoba on Thursday, February 18th, 2010. She was born on August 8th, 1909 in Birtle, Manitoba to parents, Thomas and Bertha (nee Wilson) Newsham. She grew up on a farm east of Birtle with an older and younger brother. Edith attended Burdette School and Birtle High School, graduating with Honours in 1927. She went on to Winnipeg and pursued a Business Secretarial Certificate at Success Business College in 1928 and found employment at Eaton's Mail Order Catalogue in Winnipeg. She returned home in 1931 and married Leslie Orville Shaw on October 29, a Farmer south west of Solsgirth where they lived and raised their four children. In 1959 they retired to Brandon, Manitoba until Leslie's death in 1969. Edith continued to live in Brandon until 1975 when she moved to Victoria, B.C. and later to Surrey, B.C. in 1977. On return to Birtle, Manitoba, in 1994, she lived in Pioneer Lodge and Sunnyside Manor . Community and church were an important part of Edith's life. In her early years, she played the organ for music recitals and social benefits. She generously gave of her time and received Life Membership recognitions with the United Church Women and The Women's Institute. She supported the World War II efforts, stitching quilts for the Red Cross and sending food hampers to families in need overseas. She made several trips across Canada to visit members of her family, enjoying many hours of knitting and crocheting en route. She will be fondly missed by her four children: Arthur of Winnipegosis, Ronald (Joyce) of Solsgirth, George (Margaret) of Nanaimo, B.C. and Marjorie Green (David) of Pickering, Ontario and their families, consisting of 13 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Grace Newsham. She was predeceased by her grandson, Eric E. Shaw and her daughter-in-law, Mavis Shaw in 2003 and her two brothers, Reuben and Ronald Newsham. Our family express sincere thanks to the staff and volunteers at Sunnyside Manor who provided wonderful care to Edith in her final years. The Memorial Service was held at Rosewood Memorial Gardens, Brandon, Manitoba on February 23, 2010 at 1:00 pm with Rev. David Cathcart of Knox United Church officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Edith may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Unit 3, 824 - 18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 5B7 or Sunnyside Manor, Birtle, Manitoba, R0M 0C0.