Shirley Wyse

1940 - 2022

 It is with great sadness, that the family of Shirley Rose Wyse (née Lukacs) of Red Deer, announce her passing in Lacombe on Friday, March 4, 2022, at the age of 82 years. 

 The funeral service was held at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.  

 Shirley is survived by her children Vickie Keeley of Medicine Hat, Don Wyse of Three Hills, Susanne Wyse of Red Deer and Tracy (Leon) St Denis of Red Willow; thirteen grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Jean Zarski of Camrose and Florence Miller of Taber; her brothers Ernie (Erika) Lukacs of Taber, Philip Lukacs of Sooke, British Columbia and by numerous nieces and nephews.

 She was predeceased by her grandparents, her loving parents Robert and Julia Lukacs, her Grandpa and Grandma Hagen, her brothers Gerald Lukacs, Darrell Lukacs and Bob Lukacs, brother-in-law George Miller and by her beloved son Calvin Wyse.

 Shirley was born in Retlaw on February 21, 1940. Shirley and her former husband Don Wyse, moved from southern Alberta to central Alberta, where she started her family and spent the remainder of her life. 

 Shirley came from a line of telephone operators and eventually became one herself. She worked for Alberta Government Telephones (AGT) before they transitioned to Telus. Over the years, when the switchboard became automated, she was given the opportunity to take the very last call for central Alberta on the switchboard. The Red Deer Advocate newspaper was there to capture that moment in time. They took a picture of her at the switchboard, taking that last call and published an article in the paper.

 Her family was very important to her and she loved to be around them, especially her grandchildren. She loved the opportunity to watch them, have sleep overs, take them on ice cream dates, paint rocks, scrapbook and spend many hours at garage sales or countless hours at Value Village. 

 When her children were young and still at home, Shirley enjoyed cooking, baking, canning and sewing for her family. In her later years, as long as she was able, she was still willing to mend anything that was needed by others. Oh what a blessing!

 Her favorite past times included singing in the church choir, attending Bible study, playing games, doll making, ceramics and other numerous crafts.

 In 2018, Shirley’s next move would be to Long Term Care in Lacombe. There, she attended numerous activities and she won at bingo almost every week. She loved to bake cookies with the staff and she thoroughly enjoyed the program called “Animal Kingdom”. She also enjoyed several outings, which included a trip to Gull Lake, the Ponoka and Lacombe parades, the Farmers Market and the Christmas light tour. 

 Shirley suffered from numerous health issues throughout her life but her biggest struggle in the end was dementia. Being wheelchair and bed bound, it became harder for her to find joy in her daily activities. Eventually the disease progressed rapidly which led to being fully dependant on others for all her needs.   

 Shirley was loved by many and will be greatly missed. We take comfort in knowing that she is no longer in pain and rejoicing in Heaven with our Heavenly Father.

 If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Shirley’s name may be made directly to the Lacombe Health Trust, Box 5663, Lacombe Alberta T4L 1X3 www.lacombehealthtrust.com. A note should be included that the donation is in memory of Shirley Wyse and that the funds are intended for recreation items in Long Term Care at the Lacombe Hospital.  

 The family would like to thank all the staff at Lacombe Long Term Care, for the love, care and attention that was shown to her over the past years. They played an essential role in her life and will miss her too.