Shirley Edith Forbes: September 26, 1937 - January 12, 2025
Shirley Edith Forbes (Carberry) passed away peacefully on Sunday January 12th, 2025, at the age of 87, at St Joseph’s care home Macklin, SK, with family by her side. She is loved and missed.
Shirley was born on Sept 26, 1937 to parents Harvey & Ann Carberry (Francis), in Dodsland, SK. Shirley was the second youngest of six children; Floyd, Thelma (Jim Hindley), Eileen (Tom Archdekin), Lorne (Margaret Wheaton) and Dale (Jean Matthewson). She was close to her siblings and spoke fondly of the family gatherings and trips together.
Shirley started life on her parent’s farm near Landis before the family moved into the town of Biggar. She attended school in Biggar until 1956 when the family moved to Saskatoon, where she completed Grade 12 at Nutana Collegiate High School. She went on to attend Saskatoon Teacher’s College. Her first teaching appointment was in Senlac, SK where she taught during the years 1958-1960.
It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Charles Gordon Forbes, a young local farmer. They were married August 4, 1959. They were blessed with four boys; Gordon, Burt, Thomas, and Douglas. Shirley was a wonderful homemaker and mother. She took great pride in her home & family. She always kept a large garden and beautiful yard. She was a fantastic cook; the family was always well fed and eager to eat whatever she had prepared. Shirley had a fun-loving personality. She was always smiling, happy and had a zest for life. Shirley was involved in the Senlac community and volunteered in many organizations. She was not afraid to jump into a project and help out.
Sadly, Shirley lost the love of her life, Charlie, in 1992.
After his passing she went back to work at the Senlac school for a few years and purchased a cabin with her youngest son at Jackfish Lake, where a few of her family had residence there. She enjoyed her brother and sisters’ friendship and had great comradery together. She spoke frequently and fondly of them and of her numerous nieces and nephews.
She became an avid traveler and travelled extensively through Canada & the US. She made many friends and spoke often of the fun she had.
Left to mourn are her children Gordon, Burt (Alicia Heck), Tom (Maureen Kratchmer), Doug (Shelley Stieb); grandchildren Kyle (Brooke), Dustin (Kristi), Shane (Angel), Tyler (Ocean), Dillon (Mikayla), Brooke, Cole & Kendall; great grandchildren Brandt, Carter, Leighton, William, Charlie, Grey, Stella, Maverick & Jett. Her siblings, Eileen Archdekin, Dale & Jean Carberry, sister-in-law Margaret Carberry, and numerous nieces and nephews. Shirley was predeceased by her beloved husband Charles, her parents Ann and Harvey Carberry, brothers Floyd and Lorne, sister Thelma Hindley, brothers-in-law Tom Archdekin and Jim Hindley.
She will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Unfortunately, growing old is not all fun and Shirley battled several health issues. The family would like to thank the staff at the Villa Marie and St Joseph’s Integrated Health Centre in Macklin, SK for their compassion and dedicated care. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Joseph’s Integrated Health Centre would be appreciated. In keeping with Shirley’s wishes cremation has taken place & a celebration of Shirley’s life will take place at a later date. Gerein Funeral Service entrusted with all arrangements, Mike Gerein-Funeral Director.
