Irene Isabel Shaver

Peacefully, after a valiant battle with cancer, Irene Shaver (nee Leiper) passed away at Grace Hospital on Sunday, May 1, 2011 at age 77.

She was predeceased by her parents, James and Ann. She is survived by her four children; Brian of Thompson, MB, Caroline, Lawrence and David, all of Winnipeg; two brothers; Ernie (Alice) of St. Catharines, ON, Jim of Salmon Arm, BC; niece Tracy Kambeitz (Mike) and family of Red Deer, AB; and niece Barb Martinez of Victoria, BC.

We miss our mom, sister and auntie, but the way she faced life with courage, strength and love shall endure always in our hearts and minds. Irene liked the message in the following poem, which she felt most people could relate to.

The test of a man

Is the fight he makes,

The grit that he daily shows,

The way that he stands on his feet and takes

Numerous bumps and blows.

A coward can smile when there is naught to fear,

When nothing his progress bars.

But it takes a man to stand and cheer

When the other fellow stars.

It’s the hurdles you mount and the breaks you get

And the shocks your courage stands,

The hours of sorrow and vain regret

For the prize that escapes your hand.

The test of your mettle and proof of your worth

Isn’t the blows you deal,

But the blows you take on this good old earth

That show if your stuff is real.

It isn’t the victory, after all

But the fight a brother makes.

The man, who, driven against the wall,

Still stands erect and takes

The blows of Fate with his head held high

Bleeding, and bruised and pale

Is the man who will win and Fate defy

For he isn’t afraid to fail.

A private family farewell will be held for Irene.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friends of Elmwood Cemetery Inc., 88 Hespeler Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R2L 0L3 or Meals on Wheels, 500-283 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2B5.