Jones, Mrs. Shirley Alberta (nee Borneman)

JONES – Mrs. Shirley Alberta Jones (nee Borneman)

Obituary read by Robyn Eresman

Shirley Alberta Borneman was born at Bassano, Alberta on June 27, 1936 to Norman and Mary (Sunde) Borneman. At six weeks of age, they moved back to Maple Creek and lived in the Hay Creek and Aylesford districts. Grandma was always proud of her middle name because of this and even when she was in the hospital and the nurses asked her name she would say Shirley Alberta Jones, they would smile and just call her Mrs. Partridge, because of Shirley Jones, the actress of the Partridge Family Show.

From the age of six to 10, Shirley lived with her Grandma Sunde and went to Hay Creek School. In 1951, she attended school in Maple Creek before returning to Hay Creek. In March of 1955, she went to Saskatoon and took a nursing assistance course. She was fortunate to train in both the St. Paul and City hospitals. She graduated as a certified nurses’ assistant in December of 1955. As times were tough, Grandma always said she was $400 short of being an LPN. Grandma worked at the Swift Current Union Hospital from January 1956 until the end of September when she returned to Maple Creek to marry Grandpa. Grandma and Grandpa were married on October 6, 1956.

Their first home was a tiny trailer in the back of Dolly and Clarence Duncan’s yard. They then moved in with Grandma Packard on Aspen St. where they shared half of her house. There was a cold water tap on her side of the house and Grandma Shirley would have to heat water to do her washing. They also had to use the outhouse as it was one of the few still left in town. It was there that their first child Debra Louise was born on December 7, 1957.

In May 1959, they moved into their house at 512 Cypress Street that they had built. On June 23, their first son, my dad, Daryl Donald was born. Darcy Edward followed on January 26, 1962 and their third son Dwane David on March 19, 1964.

Grandma worked part time at the Maple Creek Union Hospital from 1963 until 1969, when she started working full time. She loved her job, the friendships she formed with staff and patients were life lasting. She liked being able to play a trick or joke on them. Many a laugh was shared.

In 1971, the family moved to #4 Second Ave. And in 1980 the farm was purchased from Grandpa and Grandma Borneman.

Family time was a busy time in the Jones household. The kids were in school and busy with a variety of sports and clubs. Grandma and Grandpa were busy working, but there was always time for a summer vacation. One vacation was taken in a half-ton truck with a Volkswagon van converted into a camper. As only three or four could fit into the cab of the truck, the other kids were put in the camper as it swayed on down the road. The family would travel to parts of Alberta, with Waterton being one of their favorites. On one vacation to Ontario to see Grandpa’s family, Grandpa built the floor to the same level as the back seat so the kids could play and sleep. One of the kids was usually riding in the back window – can’t imagine that being allowed today. Many fun times were had camping and taking swimming lessons at Cypress Hills Park, attending Murraydale Rodeo or the Medicine Hat Stampede, where Grandma would bring broiled hotdogs in a glass sealer for lunch.

Grandma and Grandpa loved to dance. Many dances were attended at Hay Creek School, where the kids remember being put to sleep on the table or a pile of coats in the cloak room. Grandma and Grandpa also belonged to the Maple Creek Square Dancing club and Auntie remembers how beautiful her mom looked with her big crinoline dress swirling around the dance floor.

Grandpa had a heart attack and surgery in 1994. Because of his declining health, Grandma retired from the nursing profession in December 1995. She then became Grandpa’s private nurse, barely ever leaving his side until his passing in July 2004.

Grandma was a talented lady, she knitted, crocheted, did petit point and cross stitching. She did ceramics and made ceramic dolls She even sewed the dolls outfits. Every grandchild was welcomed with a homemade crocheted blanket and sweater. Besides that she was a collector. She collected stamps, coins, thimbles, spoons, salt and pepper shakers, bells, dishes, Barbie dolls and more dolls.

Grandma was also compiling our family history. She also liked to collect bricks from the old homesteads in the district. Grandma loved country music and was always listening to it or transferring it from one format to the other. She liked her animals – horses, cows, dogs and cats. And she loved ladybugs, she even had a ladybug set of jewellery that she would wear.

Grandparenting was Grandma’s favorite job. Grandma was very proud that she was able to be at work and put the first diaper on her three oldest grandchildren. All of us grandchildren were asked to tell our favorite memory of Grandma. Everyone one of us said our favorite memory was when all the cousins were together in the summer and Grandma would make a picnic lunch (sandwiches made in the sandwich maker, ham and cheese) and we would go to our secret spot, Hidden Valley. Grandpa would join us and we would play in the creek, sometimes having boat races with aluminum tart tins. All of us kids loved her famous jello layer cake. It was a pain to make but she would make it for us anyway. She would always make homemade pop for Tanner and I when we were sick. Tanner remembers picking the purple crocus flowers on the hill with her and he said he learned a lot during those walks.

Troy remembers getting out of the truck one day at the farm with Grandpa and a turkey started following him. Grandma yells at Grandpa, “Teach that boy how to stick up for himself.” Grandpa gave Troy a hockey stick, “You have to teach the turkey a lesson or else it might take after your younger cousins too.” So Troy says he taught that turkey a lesson.

Travis says grandparents are such special people in a child’s life, they influence you in so many ways and love you unconditionally. He remembers going to the stampede in Medicine Hat with Grandma, watching the rodeo and going on rides. Grandma was always there for us no matter what we needed – from words of wisdom to anything. Travis also was thankful to have Grandma stay with him and Ashley for a change when Grandma Mary was ill. Many hours were spent reminiscing and talking. Travis wants to say thank you Grandma for all you have done for all of us grandchildren and we will never forget you.

Grandma Shirley is remembered by her mother Mary Borneman and brother Tracey Borneman, her daughter Debbie and Pat Bischoff; son Daryl and Sheryl Jones; son Dwane and Rhonda Jones; daughter-in-law Shirley Jones; grandchildren Travis (Ashley George) Christie, Troy and Rhonda Christie, Blake and Alicia Jones, Jessie Jones, Robyn and Brendan Eresman, Tanner Jones, Tye and Randi Jones; great grandchildren Destyn and Jade Christie, Eleanor and Frances Jones and Braeya Eresman. Step-grandchildren Jolene Bischoff, Kim, Derek and Aubrey Williams. She is also survived by her three sisters-in-law in Ontario, numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and many good long time friends and co-workers.

Grandma was predeceased by her husband Ralph Jones (2004), her father Norman Borneman (1987), her son Darcy Jones (1993) and grandson Michael Christie (1974).

As we look back over time

to us.

The funeral service was held at the Maple Creek United Church in Maple Creek, Sask. on Thurs., July 3, 2014 at 2 p.m. with Eleanor Bowie officiating. The eulogy was read by Robyn Eresman and Shirley Jones. Special music was provided by Blake and Alicia Jones. Urn bearers were grandchildren Travis Christie, Troy Christie, Robyn Eresman, Tanner Jones, Blake Jones, Jessie Jones, Tye Jones, Randi Jones.

Honorary pallbearers were Shirley’s co-workers from the Maple Creek Union Hospital.

A private family interment took place in the Maple Creek Cemetery.

Those who wish to may remember Shirley with a gift to the Canadian Diabetes Association or to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Association.

To email an expression of sympathy you may visit http://www.gonebutnotforgotten.ca.

Binkley’s Funeral Service, Maple Creek and Leader, in charge of arrangements. 306-662-2292

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