It is with sadness that the family announces that our mother, Shirley Mayme Regehr passed away on October 27, 2022 at Whistle Bend Place in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Shirley (O’Hare) was born on October 3, 1939 in New Westminster, BC to Hugh and Mary Jane O’Hare. Shirley grew up and went to school in Coquitlam, BC. At the age of 13 Shirley started playing piano in church, and continued to play piano until shortly before her death. She won awards in shorthand and typing classes and spent a number of years working in various offices throughout her adult life.

At the age of 18 while she was playing the piano at church she met the love of her life, Wilfred. They were engaged 10 days later, and married in April 1959. They loved and adored each other for almost 60 years, until Wilf’s passing in October 2018. They moved to Vernon, BC in 1962 and raised their children, Christine, Gordon and Sharon, and embraced the farm life there.

In 1987 Shirley and Wilf decided to make a life change and moved to the Yukon and there became grandparents to 11 grandchildren, and then 9 great-grandchildren. Two more great-grandchildren were added to the pack shortly after Shirley’s passing.

Shirley is survived by her sister, Mary Neufeld and two nieces, Brenda and Valerie. She is also survived by her three children, Christine (Derek) Panter, Gordon (Ruth) Regehr, and Sharon (Trevor) Mead-Robins. She is also survived by her 11 grandchildren: Jodi (Dustin) Hannah, Dustin (Erin) Neufeld, Brittani (Karson) Smith, Joshua Heynen, Michael (Hannah) Heynen, Nathanial Heynen, Kelsey Heynen, Jonathan Regehr, Melissa (Jon) Dorn, Daniel Regehr and Kyle (Trisha) Regehr.

Shirley also loved and rejoiced for each of her great-grandchildren: Aralee, Kaebri, Nashlyn, MacLean, Hadley, Rylan, Mia, Lydia, Wren, Winter and Kassian.

Shirley was pre-deceased by her parents and her husband, Wilfred.

Shirley was an example of family love and was steadfast in her faith. She taught her family to love music (as long as it was southern gospel music!), and how to successfully manage raising her children, work, and run the farm with cattle and sheep. She was an amazing baker and was known for her cookies, cinnamon buns, and Danish pastries.

Shirley’s ashes will be buried beside her husband’s in Abbotsford BC. A Celebration of Life will be held in Abbotsford, BC in April 2023.

The family wishes to thank the very caring staff at Whistle Bend Place, and the previous staff at Macaulay Lodge, Whitehorse, Yukon, as well as Dr. Michael Passmore of Vancouver, BC.