Shirley Diane Kelly

KELLY: Shirley D. (nee Rosten)

March 24, 1951 – February 8, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Shirley Diane Kelly on February 8, 2024 at the age of 72 at Humboldt District Health Complex after a hard fought battle with ALS.

Shirley was born on March 24,1951 at Imperial Hospital and was the youngest child of Lloyd and Ruby Rosten. During Shirley’s early years, her passions were figure skating, helping her mom with household and farm chores, learning to sew, and plant and tend a garden. This is where her value of a strong work ethic was born.

Shirley loved to help and care for others and after finishing highschool, she ventured into nursing and achieved the LPN certificate at Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology in Regina. Shortly after, Shirley married her highschool sweetheart, David Gordon. They were married 50 years, raised three children and adored their seven grandchildren.

Shirley and David moved around for the first six years of marriage: 2 years in Yorkton, 3 years in Humboldt, and a 1 year at Meadow Lake Provincial Park. David worked as a Conservation Officer during this time which led them to move often. Shirley viewed each new home and community as a new adventure for her, David and their growing family. Shirley continued to work as an LPN until their children came along. They were blessed with their first two sons, Ryan and Matt while living in Humboldt. They then came back to set up roots in Imperial with the purchase of the Shore’s Grocery Store, all while welcoming their third son, Regan. Shirley worked alongside David in the day to day operations at Kelly’s General Store, helping in the success of the grocery store along with the carwash. Shirley always had a “get’er done attitude” and was willing to tackle any job. Her energetic spirit and passion for rolling up her sleeves, getting dirty and helping whenever possible is second to none and a legacy that will live on within her kids and grandchildren.

Shirley poured her heart and soul into her family, friends and community. Having raised three boys, she was the epitome of a mama bear that deeply and fiercely loved her family. Shirley was her family and friends biggest cheerleader and was known to let the refs know her opinion at the hockey rink from time to time. She drove her children and their friends to every sporting and extra-curricular event and tied an endless amount of hockey skates. She was well known as the mom who the kids could call at any hour for a ride, but then let them know afterwards her displeasure of coming home at such a late hour, while asking if they wanted something to eat before they went to bed.

Her friends and community were her beacon. The Kelly residence, with its pot of coffee always on and freshly baked buns was the place you always felt welcome to come for a visit and stay for as long as you needed. She had a way of making each person feel special and went out of her way to talk to everyone in a room and make sure they had a beverage in hand and a plate of food. She was always willing to help at a community event or bring baking to a fundraiser. In her spare time, you would find her cutting everyone’s lawns, ironing David’s jeans, checking on the family’s car wash, in the garden or the flower bed, making bread, pickles or salsa in the kitchen, refinishing old furniture in the garage and cheering on her grandkids at the rink and ball fields.

Shirley is survived by her husband David and sons: Ryan (Rhonda), Matt (Lesley), Regan (Lesley) and grandchildren: Jacelyn, Jensen, Trey, Brooklyn, Jennings, Hunter, Copeland.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents Lloyd and Ruby Rosten and Bob and Gladys Kelly.

A Memorial Service was held at Imperial Community Centre, Imperial, SK on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. with Wanda Gustafson officiating. Interment took place in Imperial Cemetery. A Memorial Reception followed for family and friends. For those so wishing memorial donations to Long Lake Valley Health Care Auxiliary would be appreciated. For online condolences or tributes please visit: https://fotheringham-mcdougall.com/