Mildred Shaw

Mildred Shaw (nee Bingham), age 85, passed away at her home in Swift Current on Monday, December 28, 2020.

In some way, each of us will remember and celebrate her life with both a tear and a smile. Her contributions of spirit have touched each and everyone of us.  First as a daughter, a sister, a classmate, or a friend, then a loving wife, mother, sister-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, and overall, the pillar of her family. In reflection we will remember her in both the triumphs and the hardships of her life and the impact she had on each one of us.

Mildred Jean Shaw was born on January 31, 1935 to Ralph & Emma Bingham on their family farm south of Hazlet, SK. She grew up with six siblings — two sisters and four brothers — plus a whole slew of boy cousins across the road. Being the only girl, as her sisters were much younger, she had to learn to play rough to keep up with the boys. Millie attended school in Hazlet, travelling over rough cattle trail roads via buggy or cart in summer and a cutter in winter pulled by horses. She loved to read and did well in school, completing Grade 12 with excellent marks. After graduation, she worked at the Cabri hospital as a nurse’s aide.

While working she met the love of her life, Clayton Shaw, at a local funeral in Cabri. Their first date was to a movie in Hazlet — “The Greatest Show on Earth” — and they were inseparable from that time on. Millie & Clayton were married on November 29, 1955 at the Lutheran Manse in Cabri and had a small reception at her parents farm. They started their family memories and homesteaded on the SE 35-18-20-W3M (Sandford Dene area). Mom and Dad were married for thirty-six years and three months, not nearly long enough, and together they raised seven children.

Their life was busy and hectic with so many children —  the youngest was learning to walk while the oldest was learning to drive. We all remember them attending social and family events, always together hand-in-hand, and now we understand why dad invented the knife in the door jamb trick. They had many common interests and loved spending time together — driving down the road in their El Camino, sneaking away on a camping trip, or enjoying time in the hot tub. We all take great peace in knowing that she has been reunited with the love of her life in “greener pastures.”

Mom didn’t believe in throwing anything away that could be fixed or reused. She told us she lived in the Dirty Thirties — you can’t waste anything. She instilled in us the importance of our family heritage and traditions, we all have wonderful memories of making lefsa for Christmas. Mom had an amazing way of turning hardships into positive memories and never complained about a tough life. Many people would say how lucky she was to have such caring kids but, really, we were the “lucky” ones. There was never a shortage of laughter or debates (arguments), and that will be dearly missed.  She has taught us all to value these precious moments while we can.

After Dad’s passing, Mom moved to Swift Current where she made many new friends, joined the ELW, a bowling league, and found a new passion — writing. She wrote short stories, poems, and created a family history book for her descendants, a lasting legacy which we will always cherish. She won gold medals for her short stories and poems that were written from the heart. Her hope was to publish a book(s) of her many creations.

Mom’s most precious legacy was her seven children, eighteen grandchildren, and twenty great-grandchildren; her son, Ralph (Heather) and their family, Dylan (Mackenzie) and Tyrone; her son, Virgil (Debbie) and their family, Jeanna, Kimberly (Kurtis) (their children, Keygen and Kreston), Alicia (Lucas) (their children, Peyton and Colton), and Jonathan (Tawn); her daughter, Noel (Bruce) and their family, Skyler (Amanda) (their children, Jordan (Ben) and Brooklyn), Tarryl (Jeff) (their children, Jaden, Andra, and Tessa), and Rylan (Ashley) (their children, Vanessa, Axel, and Cooper); her son, Neal (Lloyd) and their family, Larissa (Mitch) (their children, Lucas and Mason) and Chantelle (Caden) (their child, Walker);  her son, Lyndon (Jackie) and their family, Kenneth (Melissa) (their children, Mackenzie and Regan), Joel (Michelle) (their children, Eva and Clay), and Miranda (Jonathan) (their child, Lawson); her daughter, Lissa (Bill) and their family, Devyn and Destiny (Trey); and her son, Ferlin (Tammy) and their family Cherish and Nathyn. Millie is also survived by her brother, Mervin (Irene) Bingham; her sister, Patsy (Stan) Hughes; her sister-in-law, Mary Bingham; her brother-in-law, Dwayne Gietz; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Millie was predeceased by her loving husband, Clayton; her brothers, Ted, Ron, Clifton, and Larry; her sister, Karolyn Gietz; and by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Audrey Bingham (nee Shaw), Marion (nee Shaw) & Howard Potter, Clifford Shaw, and Cameron Shaw.

The Private Family Funeral Service for Mildred Shaw was held on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 2:00 pm from St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Swift Current, SK with Rev. Linda Hall officiating. “Nearer My God to Thee,” “”Abide With Me,” and “In the Sweet By and By” were played for the family, with Arlie Neufeld serving as pianist. A video tribute was given by Destiny Hammel. The eulogy was given by Tarryl Todd. Two poems written by Mildred were read by Tyrone Shaw. The Private Interment Service was held following to the Funeral Service from Memory Gardens, Swift Current, SK with Mildred’s grandsons serving as Pallbearers. In memory of Mildred Shaw, donations made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.

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