The Icelandic Canadian - 01.08.2009, Side 11

Vol. 62 #3
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
101
unique presence. She expanded the role of
Fjallkona from the single event of the
Icelandic celebrations on the August long
weekend to attendance at several other cel-
ebrations: the June 17 Icelandic
Independence Day celebrations at the stat-
ue of Jon Sigurdsson on the Legislative
grounds in Winnipeg; the Hjemkomst
Festival in Fargo North Dakota; the South
Central Festival in Swan Lake, Manitoba;
the Scandinavian Pavilion at Folklorama;
the Brandon Heritage Festival in October;
and the Nordic Hostfest in Minot, North
Dakota. She wrote and spoke beautifully
about the symbol of the Fjallkona, Mother
Iceland, as the essence of Icelandic culture
and history, and of the ties that bind us to
our Icelandic heritage.
Shirley was provincial secretary and
councilor of the IODE and Regent of the
Jon Sigurdsson Chapter. She performed the
many duties of that position including
preparations for the Bridge and Whist
fundraisers in September and March, host-
ing the IODE scholarship presentations in
October, supporting the Education and
Services projects and planning the June 17
Icelandic Independence Day celebrations.
Today, the ceremony at the statue of Jon
Sigurdsson, which was promoted vigorous-
ly by Shirley and the members of the
IODE, has become an important event in
the life of the Icelandic community in
Manitoba. She set the stage for the colour-
ful, meaningful and memorable enactment
we enjoy today. Shirley was also Regent of
the Jon Sigurdsson Chapter IODE from
1996-98.
In 1975, Shirley and Russell enjoyed
hosting and guiding a troupe of dancers
from Iceland arranging concerts and
appearances in the towns of the Interlake
and in Winnipeg at Folklorama and at the
Playhouse Theater.
Shirley was honoured with the
Governor-General’s 125th Anniversary of
Canada Medal and in 1992 she received an
honourary membership from the Icelandic
National League.
Shirley and Russell, her husband of
sixty-four years were inseparable. Russell
gave Shirley his unqualified support in all
her endeavors and she expanded her hori-
zons with him, learning new technologies
(the computer age) and keeping an open
mind for whatever opportunities came
their way. Here is a tribute from their
daughter Norma Jean which describes the
wonderful marriage of a truly remarkable
couple.
“Although she accomplished so much
in her community, I think her greatest
achievement was the enduring love she and
our father sustained over a lifetime. They
were a team. Wherever Mom went, Dad
was never very far behind ...”
“Shirley loved her family and friends
dearly and was always available whenever
they needed help or support. She loved
being an Amma, and always took great
delight in all of her family's achievements
and activities. She will be lovingly remem-
bered for her passion for music, her deter-
mination and courage in facing life's chal-
lenges, and her abiding faith that every-
thing always works out for the best. Shirley
was truly a force of nature”.
Shirley was born February 14, 1922.
She will be lovingly remembered by her
husband of 64 years, Russell; two daugh-
ters, Janis Chant (Michael) of Winnipeg
and Norma-Jean McCreedy (John Spauls)
of Barrie; one son, Kevin McCreedy of
Winnipeg; grandchildren, Brad, Caitlin,
Bronwen, Declan, Heather, Allen and Eric,
and sister, Margaret Hunter of Saskatoon.
She is also survived by brother-in-law,
Allen (Mary) McCreedy of Winnipeg; sis-
ters-in-law, Marilyn (Dick) LaPage of
Winnipeg and Marian McCreedy of
Whitby and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her mother and
father, Norma and Fred Thordarson;
grandparents, Erlendur Thordarson and
Signy Bjorg Erlandsdottir, Sveinn
Thorbergson and Helga Hendriksdottir;
her brother, David Thordarson; sister,
Dorothy Littleford; sister-in-law, Doreen
Thordarson and brothers-in-law, Mac
Littleford and Ken Hunter.