Shirley Oldfield

Shirley Ann Oldfield (née Branstrom), 78, of Calgary, Alberta, passed away on December 8th, 2022.

Shirley was born to Jonas Branstrom and Alberta Beila (née Hanna) on December 18, 1943 in Canmore, AB. For the first four years of her life, she lived in Loder’s Lime near Exshaw, AB before moving to Field, BC where she remained for her adolescence. It was in Field where she met her first husband, Albert Robideau with whom she had her first three children, Annette, Dan and Rod. Shirley often told stories of her life in Field, which she recalled with great fondness, even when they included an encounter with a black bear sniffing her while she was sunbathing. She was raised primarily by her father, who immigrated to Alberta from Sweden in 1929. This created a strong appreciation for her Swedish ancestry. A highlight of her life was getting to visit Sweden and Norway in 2002, where she was able to meet her cousins and see the country from which her father was born. In 1968, Shirley moved with her children to Calgary, AB where she remained until her passing. She made a new life in Calgary having more children, Kathleen and Corry-Lynn and marrying her second husband, Gilbert Oldfield.

For her entire life Shirley loved going to the mountains of her childhood, often camping and hiking in the summers. Shirley was also a lover of games and puzzles. At family gatherings it was not a matter of “if” but rather “what” the family would be playing; from spirited games of Rummoli to cards, dice, and trivial pursuit, the family always had fun playing into the evening. She loved solitaire and did puzzles from the newspaper daily, especially the Calgary Herald crosswords rarely missing a day. Shirley was a talented crafter, especially in knitting, crocheting and stained glass making. She made countless beautiful stained glass works of art, as well as beautifully knitted and crocheted items including infant outfits and shoes; which she sold, gave to friends and passed down to her granddaughter. She had some difficult health matters including Type 1 diabetes for most of her life and in her later years, four bouts of cancer. However, Shirley persevered and was independent and positive until she was diagnosed with dementia in the last few years.

Above all else, Shirley loved, and was loved by her children and grandchildren who already miss her dearly.

Shirley will be lovingly remembered by her five children, Annette Robideau, Dan Robideau, Rod Robideau, Kathleen (Dale) Hunkele and Corry-Lynn Oldfield; grandchildren, Sarah (Jeff) Haynie and Quin Robideau; sister, Bernice Zuk and family; cousins in Sweden; Albert and Carol Robideau and family who Shirley considered her extended family as well as many other family and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, Jonas and Alberta; sister, Brenda Beila; and her second husband, Gilbert Oldfield.

A Memorial Service for Shirley will be held at Pierson’s Funeral Service, 4121 17th Avenue SE on Sunday, December 18, 2022, at 1:00 PM

In remembrance for Shirley and her love of the Canadian wilderness, the family requests that in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Nature Conservancy Canada.