Shirley Vance Varga

SHIRLEY VARGA (MCKINNON/HAUCK)

July 2, 2023, Shirley Varga (McKinnon/Hauck), at the age of 86, passed away peacefully with her beloved family holding her hand.

Shirley was a gem – kind, gentle and spicy!

She was born on October 26, 1936, in Pincher Creek. Her parents, Cecile and Vance McKinnon, predeceased her, as well as her younger brother John McKinnon, and her husband Louis.  

Shirley grew up in Pincher Creek and when she graduated high school in 1954 she moved to Calgary to attend Mount Royal College, where she studied bookkeeping and secretarial.

Shirley returned home and worked at the Pincher Creek Co-op as the bookkeeper for many years.

She met Louis at the Co-op where he worked as a meat cutter, and they married in 1977.  Years later they moved to the Crowsnest Pass, where they owned a meat shop in Blairmore, living in Hillcrest.

Upon returning to Pincher Creek in 1994, they renovated the family house that her father Vance built and she resided there until her passing.

She worked at the Sawmill in Cowley as a bookkeeper until she retired at 65, then worked parttime for many years as the treasurer and secretary at the Pincher Creek United Church. She also volunteered in the Thrift Store, where she made many friends.

She became an avid gardener, taking special care of the beautiful roses her father planted, also lovingly tended to a bounty of vegetables. While spending so much time in the yard, she became a birder, fielding questions from her grandchildren who would often ask her to name a species they came across.

Shirley also had a creative side. She loved to crochet making beautiful afghans, sweaters, and sought-after dish cloths; she also enjoyed sewing tablecloths and clothing. 

She created her own beautiful ornate candles and made wine with everything from wild fruit to dandelions!

She always had countless projects on the go.

Early on, she spent many summers enjoying time with relatives at the lake and the dance hall in Waterton.

For decades, she was found on the golf course in the summer and couldn’t wait until the course opened - she would come home from work, change clothes and hit the ‘links’ several times a week.  Most recently, she didn’t miss a weekend of PGA on TV.  She would often reflect how grass greens were so much easier saying, ‘try putting on sand!’

She also loved to read and watch her favorite TV shows. She enjoyed binge-watching Downton Abbey, and Grace and Frankie with Cathy.

She was genuinely kind to everyone she met and touched people in remarkable ways.  She was surrounded and supported by the community she loved and grew up in.

But above all, she adored and cherished her family. The family home was always a safe haven, and a place to gather and celebrate all of life’s events and milestones.

She will always be loved and treasured by her daughter Cathy Yost, Calgary; Grandson, Chris Yost (Shelly Grubbe), Calgary; and Granddaughter, Rebecca Yost, Vancouver.

Shirley will be greatly missed!

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, July 16,2023 at 11:00 A.M. at the Pincher Creek United Church, 972 Police Avenue, Pincher Creek, Alberta with a luncheon to follow.

To send a condolence, please visit edensfuneralhome.com.

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