Reflections on One of My Heroes: Shirley Curle – Grandma Curle – Mother-in-Law
Remembering Shirley Curle
Sadly, on November 29th, my beloved mother-in-law passed away after a period of advanced dementia. In the week that followed, as we prepared for her Celebration of Life, I found myself wanting to capture and share her spirit—because I genuinely believe hers was a life well lived.
A Woman of Many Talents and Deep Devotion
One of the most remarkable things about my mother-in-law was her multitude of gifts and skills. She placed her children and grandchildren above all else, and her unwavering dedication to family is truly something to be admired. Family was her world. She was always present for the significant milestones and celebrations—whether it was Dylan’s fourth-grade spelling bee, graduations, or birthdays. Weekends with us were a regular delight, and she often joined us for Christmas and Easter vacations. These visits were highlighted by her Sunday morning tradition: making delicious gluten-free pancakes for everyone, which were always a big hit with the boys.
Active and Engaged
Grandma was not one to sit idle; she was always on the move and preferred being engaged in activities rather than watching TV, which she humorously referred to as the “idiot box.” She would much rather play a game or work on a project with her hands.
An Artistic Soul
Her artistic talent was evident to all who knew her. Through drawing and painting classes at the Senior Center in Edmonton, she honed her skills. We displayed some of her beautiful artwork at her Celebration of Life, and their quality was apparent—so much so that several cousins asked if they could keep some of her pictures for themselves!
Crafting Treasures
Her creativity extended to knitting and crocheting as well. I have several scarves she made for me, which I deeply treasure, as well as intricately patterned mittens that the boys adore. Inheriting most of Grandma’s knitting needles has inspired me to pick up knitting again, hoping to create special pieces for my own children.
A Passion for Gardening
Grandma was also a devoted gardener. She loved hosting my boys at her home and often had them helping out in the garden. With a keen eye for landscaping, she planted many beautiful trees and shrubs, and her deck was always adorned with vibrant flower pots. While her vegetable garden had its ups and downs, it produced wonderful harvests when it thrived.
Simple and Delicious Cooking
Her love for gardening was complemented by her skills in the kitchen. She believed in simple, wholesome meals based on meat, vegetables, and starch, always making sure her food was delicious—and gluten free. After a weekend of enjoying her meals, I always noticed how much better I felt.
Creative Memories
Grandma’s creativity shone in memorable moments, such as when she visited us in Saskatoon while Dylan was about four or five. He had just discovered the joys of watching movies and using the rewind button on the VHS player, with “The Sound of Music” being his favorite. Knowing his love for bells, Grandma crafted a large grey bell costume out of coat hangers, cardboard, and duct tape for a local theater’s costume contest. Thanks to her ingenuity, Dylan won a prize for his bell costume.
Capturing Life’s Moments
An avid photographer, Grandma delighted in capturing the boys’ adventures along the banks of the Elbow River and their hikes in the area. Her photographs preserve precious memories of time spent in nature, throwing rocks and exploring together.
Games and Connection
Card games were another of Grandma’s passions. We played many games with her during her visits, and she especially enjoyed a game called GOLF with the boys. Unfortunately, it was during these games that we first noticed her memory difficulties, as she began to struggle with adding up the cards.
A Role Model for Retirement
Grandma served as an inspiring role model for retirement. She was highly active in her community, particularly at the Northgate Lions Senior Center, where she volunteered every Friday at the front desk. She eagerly participated in art, writing, drawing, and pottery classes, and was a dedicated member of the choir. We were pleasantly surprised to learn of her involvement in the center’s musical theater group, often singing, acting, and delighting audiences in costume. A fellow volunteer even created a beautiful photo album commemorating her many stage performances—an aspect of her life that brought her great joy and was previously unknown to us.
Enduring Gratitude
I will miss Grandma immensely. She was an extraordinary mother-in-law and grandmother, and I am profoundly grateful that she played such a significant role in our lives. We all loved her dearly.
