Obituary of H. (Hazel) Shirley Phillips

H. (HAZEL) SHIRLEY PHILLIPS Shirley, late of Lumsden, Saskatchewan passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 21, 2016 at the age of 90 years. Predeceased by husband Wilson C. Phillips in 2005; sister Joyce Blyth; and brothers, Alan and George Durie, Shirley is survived by sons David (Rhonda) Phillips of Lumsden, Scott (Vickie) Phillips of Maple Creek SK, and daughter Laura (Scott McArthur) of Calgary AB; grandchildren, Iain (Erin) Phillips, Geoff (Connie) Phillips, Colin Phillips, Kerri (Mike) Walker, and Ross (Kirby) Phillips; great-grandchildren, Emme, Gracie, and Ava Phillips and Tolson Walker; brother Robert (Bob); and sisters-in-law, Jo Durie, Ruth Durie, and Joan Phillips; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Shirley was truly “sociable” through her entire life and was never happier than when she was hosting or joining a big party. As a child, she was often called into service as the “fourth” hand in long games of bridge, stretching late into the night at her parents’ Riverdale Farm home near Moose Jaw. It may have been this early training that gave her a lifelong love of that game and also left her a night owl, who rarely retired until long after mid-night. In recent years, Shirley often played her piano well into the early hours of the morning, for a lack of interest in retiring for the night. Shirley taught statistics at United College in Winnipeg, the University of Regina Math Department, and the University of Saskatchewan Faculty of Commerce. She was well-loved by her students and received the “Professor of the Year” award at the College of Commerce, three years in a row. Shirley’s approachable demeanor and mastery of the subject matter, gave her the ability to make what was difficult for many, into something they could understand and absorb. Shirley enjoyed a very active social life right up to the last few months, a life that was enriched by the support of her many friends in Lumsden and elsewhere. In recent months, she had increasing difficulty accepting the decline in her physical capabilities that impaired her ability to travel for entertainment and social events. Shirley did say a few days ago that she felt very lucky to have lived long enough to have gotten to know not only her grandchildren and their spouses, but also her great-grandchildren. Memorial Service will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church, 115 King Street, Lumsden, SK on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Flowers gratefully declined. Friends so wishing may make donations in memory of Shirley to St. Andrew’s United Church, Lumsden, SK. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com