Shirley Payne

On the 4th of April, the Flin Flon community lost Shirley Payne, a treasured friend, teacher, and legend of the Flin Flon School Division. To honour her memory and carry on her legacy, an annual bursary has been created in her name to aid aspiring teachers that will be graduating from Hapnot Collegiate. This bursary exemplifies the passion, commitment, and leadership that Shirley demonstrated throughout her 48-year career as an educator.

E-transfer donations to the Shirley Payne Legacy Bursary may be made to:

Attention: Heather Fleming, FFSD Office

secretarytreasurer@ffsd.mb.ca

Cash and cheque donations may also be made to the School Division Office:

9 Terrace Avenue, Flin Flon, Manitoba R8A 1S2

Charitable Tax Receipts will be available upon request.

Please make your donation by May 10, 2024, in order for this bursary to be included in the 2024 Hapnot Collegiate Graduation Ceremony.

Donations past this date are always welcome.

Early in the morning of Thursday April 4th at the Flin FLon General Hospital, Shirley lost her battle with pancreatic cancer. Born July 25th 1952 Shirley was in her 71st year and is survived by her sisters Lynda Pronger (husband Fred and children Archie (Helen) and Robert), Irene Posnikoff ( husband Larry and children Ryan ( Beata) and Shannon). Shirley is predeceased by her Brother William Payne ( wife Lorna and children Steven(Kat) and Sarah(Mike)). Shirley is also predeceased by her Parents Archie and Margaret ( nee McLeson) Payne.

In keeping with Shirley's wishes no funeral is planned. Following cremation Shirley will be interned at a future date at the Brookside cemetery in Snow Lake alongside her Parents.

Shirley's family would like to thank all the nurses, doctors, health care, and support workers at the Flin FLon General hospital for the excellent care she received.

Shirley was a teacher! 

Having graduated from  Brandon University with a Bachelors of Education, Majoring in Special Education in 1975, she immediately was employed at the Flin Flon School Division where she would work her entire career. Working, however, doesn't quite describe the effort and energy Shirley put into teaching.  Teaching was the love of her life, in particular teaching children to read. The joy that she would have when connecting with a child who was just learning to read could fill a room. In fact Shirley would often be seen carrying around leveled readers, and letterland books, along with flash cards and a host of school supplies. Her home library is filled  with Judy Blume and Robert Munch, alongside dog eared and annotated texts on dyslexia, and learning disorders. Shirley was convinced with the right program, and effort by the teacher and student everyone could read. Everyone Could Succeed.

GO McIsaac Maddogs!

While Shirley's first love was teaching she was also a crafter. Actually a master craftsperson. She cooked, baked, made homemade chocolates and proceeded to distribute these goodies to friends and family at an almost commercial rate. The chocolates in particular were occasionally delivered in homemade boxes. She also sewed knitted and was a prodigious crocheter. If you have a crocheted bookmark, cup cozy, scarf, or hat, then it likely came from the fingertips of Shirley Payne. 

In the early part of Shirley's career her summers were spent split between professional development, and traveling the world where she collected some of the most amazing spoons. More recently most of Shirley's travels brought her to see friends and  family. Shirley's Nieces and Nephews and now Great Nieces and Nephews were the benefactors of her attention. A visit from Aunty Shirley meant a day of hugs, and baking, brownies, cookies, or muffins, and meal prep with one of her signature recipes, followed by snuggles on the couch while reading a story together, sometimes the odd lesson thrown in for good measure. 

In lieu of flowers please buy a book and share with a loved one, or the bursary that is set up.