Shirley Marguerite Friel "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive, well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, cigar in one hand, (Lemon Hart and coke) in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming, 'WOW - What a ride!'" Well, that pretty much sums up the life of Shirley Marguerite Friel (nee Parsons) who "skidded in sideways" on July 13, 2008, at her home in Moose Jaw, SK, in the arms of her children. Shirley was born January 20, 1923, in Smiths Falls, Ontario, the youngest of five daughters. At the insistence of her forward-thinking mother Hattie Mae, who felt that women should have some form of post-secondary education, Shirley trained as a nurse, then boarded a train, and moved west for adventure. In post-war Comox, BC, she met and married George (Joe) Friel and they would later settle in Moose Jaw, SK, Joe's hometown, to raise their four children. Shirley truly was a woman before her time. Spirited, stubborn and fiercely independent, she insisted upon using her education and indeed, every morning, Shirley would go off in her whites, waving her arm in the air, tossing casually over her shoulder that she was "off to save lives." Some of Shirley's fondest memories include working Maternity at the Providence Hospital and serving as administrator of the Moose Jaw Union Hospital Central Supply for many years. And some of her strongest life-long friendships were forged in these two hospitals where, during coffee breaks, Shirley and her hospital pals would solve some of the world's more pressing issues, cold-cases and other of life's mysteries. Then, off she would go with Dad's STI crowd, her steadfast friends during Dad's lifetime and throughout her thirty years as a widow. Shirley is predeceased by her husband Joe, her mother and father, her four sisters and her granddaughter Sarah Robertson. She lives on through her four children, eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren: Jon (Marg Fowler), Dustin (Emily Springer and Daniel and Lydia) and Scott (Margaret Lilley and Elizabeth and William); Joanne (Grant Robertson), Clark, Lee and Ford; Mark (Shirley McCullough), Christy (Kwartei Glover-Quartey and McKenna) Jana, and Chad; and Dawn (Don Hipperson), Jaimee (Cory Larson and Reid and Josh), Kathryn (Chad Bankowski and Noah and Avery), and Greg (Leah Foulds). Shirley also lives on in the memories of her sisters-in-law, including Mom's special friend and sister-in-law Doris Legge, and nieces and nephews. It has been said that "the path to a friend's door is never long." Our Mom was a shining example of one whose doorway path was very short and very busy. A thank you note sent to Mom just before she died perhaps explains best. Mom's friend wrote, "Every time we have been with you, it has been a bundle of fun and the challenge of wits always makes me smile and grin." We, Big Shirl's family, continue to learn daily that our Mom cut a wide swath in terms of those who call her "friend" and we take great pride and comfort in this. We invite all who knew Shirley to join us at 3:30 on Friday, July 18th, 2008, at W.J Jones & Son Chapel to celebrate and honour her life. Linda Owens will be the celebrant. In lieu of flowers, Mom has gratefully asked that you please consider donating in Shirley's name to the Moose Jaw Union Hospital Foundation - Women's Ward or Day Surgery. In living memory of Shirl, a tree will be planted in Besant Park by W. J. Jones & Son Funeral Home. Please sign the memorial register book at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries). Donald Jones Funeral Director