It is with admiration, gratitude and immense love that we announce the passing of Geraldine “Gerry” Shafer, who left us on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at the age of 103. Geraldine passed away at the Long Term Care Facility, Bonnyville Health Centre, were she resided for the last three years.
Gerry was born on April 6, 1921 in Brownlee, Saskatchewan, daughter of Elise and Harry Buckmaster. She grew up on a farm near Keeler, Saskatchewan, where she embraced her families passion for farming and love of nature. She obtained her high school education at Keeler and Bedford Road Collegiate in Saskatoon, after which she went on to obtain her teaching certificate from Moose Jaw Normal School.
It was while teaching at Pelican Lake School, in the Caron, Saskatchewan area, that she met her future husband, George. They were married in 1943 and lived in Vancouver where George was employed in a war factory. After one year of living in the big city they moved to Keeler area where they could pursue their mutual dream of farming. They established a mixed farming operation where the cattle were always a special interest. As she recounted to her family: “The baby calves in the spring were always such a delight to us, and our Sunday morning trips to the valley pasture to check the herd during the summer was always a pleasant routine; amidst the beauty and wonderment of nature, it was an inspirational experience that recharged us for the week ahead.”
In addition to her passion for farming and nature, she enjoyed sewing, crafts, and cake decorating. She was an excellent seamstress and created beautiful pieces, including many formal gowns for her daughter, Lynda. She avidly watched politics, curling and Saskatchewan Roughrider games on television. Later, she enjoyed her winter visits to Arizona to spend time with Lynda and son-in-law Robert, and where she made many new friends whom she cherished.
Following retirement from the farm Gerry and her husband George resided in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, following the passing of her husband, Gerry continued to live in Moose Jaw where she enjoyed spending time with family and friends, recounting the joys of living on the farm in the Keeler area. In recent years she moved to the Lakeland area in Alberta to be nearer to Lynda and Robert. Here she was able to embrace the peace, joy and tranquility of life on Moose Lake.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter: Lynda (Robert) Sylvestre of Bonnyville; grandson: Troy (Hollee) Hargrove of Waukee, Iowa; great grandson: Kieran Hargrove of Waukee, Iowa; step great granddaughter: Gia Guglielmo of Waukee, Iowa.
Gerry was predeceased by her parents: Harry and Elise Buckmaster; her husband: George Shafer; brothers: baby Gerald and Ken Buckmaster; sister: Maxine Crosbie; brother-in-law: Gordon Crosbie.
At Gerry’s request there will be no public service. The family will hold a private gathering in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan at a later date.
The family wishes to extend thanks to the residents and staff of Bonnyville Health Centre Long Term Care.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Bonnyville Health Foundation, Long Term Care Department, 5001 Lakeshore Drive, Bonnyville, AB T9N 0G8, .
Respectfully submitted by family.
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ARRANGEMENTS WERE IN CARE OF MEMENTO FUNERAL CHAPEL, BONNYVILLE, COLD LAKE & ST. PAUL (780) 826-3113. The Thackeray Family ~ A Tradition of Trust since 1975.
