Shirley Alice Fry

It is with deep sorrow the family of Shirley Fry (nee Sellers), shares of her passing at Carewest George Boyack Centre, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters and their families (Karen Fry, Kristin Fry (Bob McCormick) and Kelli Fry. It was with great sadness that she was predeceased in June of 2025 by her son, Dan Fry. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Lori Fry, two grandchildren and their families (Ryan Fry (Marina McNeil), great grand daughter Lucia as well as Katy Boucher (Julien) and great grandsons, (Harrison and Ollie). She is also survived by her brother Ron Sellers (Carol).

Shirley was blessed with a life that spanned nearly a century, and over those years she became so many things to so many people. A daughter to the late Fred and Alice Sellers, she was also a sister to Joy Strange, Noreen McPhalen, and Fred Sellers junior (all predeceased). She was a wife to her late husband Dean Fry, a proud mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

She saw such profound changes to Southern Alberta during her lifetime. In her early years near Calgary, her parents lived for a time in what is now known as Fish Creek Provincial Park (formerly referred to as Happy Valley by her family). During her era, she was granted a special driver’s licence to transport her siblings in a Ford Model A car to school.

Shirley was a gifted athlete, and at 5’11”, was a natural on the basketball court. She remained friends through her lifetime with many of the Central High School alumni. She was also a very accomplished tennis player and was invited to compete in a national competition as a junior in Ottawa. Shirley won provincial gold and silver medals in 1949 and proudly wore them on special outings. It wasn’t uncommon to find her watching sports highlights well into the wee hours of the night. She frequently entertained her daughters (and staff) in the senior’s home. Mom amazed us with the story of how as a child she performed on stage as a tap dancer. She would pretend to “toss” a basketball into a hoop or swing a tennis racquet mere weeks before she passed.

One of her greatest gifts was transforming her own success in sports into something more meaningful, becoming a generous, thoughtful, loving champion and cheerleader to her children. Regardless of the endeavour, she was your biggest fan. This enthusiasm was not only reserved for family, it also extended to the many people she loved and lost along the way.

A “country girl”, she was surrounded for most of her life with animals. She cared for several stray dogs and housed a moose calf for a short period of time. She was passionate about horses and fully supported her daughters in their individual riding pursuits. Shirley would share fond memories of “Cow Camp” and the cattle roundups to and from Sheep Creek Provincial Park. Later that day, she could quickly transform herself from cowboy boots to heels and look like a fashion model. She loved nature, gardening and frequented Blue Rock for solace.

It’s difficult to articulate Shirley’s vast array of interests and talents. Mom volunteered with the Junior League, Spruce Meadows, and her children’s schools. She participated in many crafts including knitting, crocheting, and weaving with the Sheep Creek Weavers. She adored Gordon Lightfoot and the late Stuart McLean's Vinyl Café. She taught cross country skiing, enjoyed frequent road trips with her son, and treasured travels with her daughters and son-in-law. An excellent cook, Shirley and her late husband Dean, often entertained others (and the odd passerby on horseback) at the ranch. She could be found picking berries for saskatoon pie or gathering rosehip for tea. Shirley loved the wild paintbrushes and forget-me-nots dotted along John Ware Ridge but most of all, she cared deeply for all her children and would light up anytime they walked into her room.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the compassionate doctors, nurses, staff, friends and family who cared for her, and continued to visit and support her, at both The Heartland in Okotoks, and Carewest George Boyack Centre.

We invite you to share your memories of Shirley with us, on this website.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a charity of your choice in her memory.