Shirly Ann Neal

Shirly Ann Neal (née: Gosselin) passed away on Monday, September 21st, 2026, in the arms of the man she loved Mike Leason.  

Shirly is also survived by her daughters: Shelley, Wendy (Travis), and Tanya (Said); grandchildren: Jordyn (Brent), Kenzii (Brayden), Tristan (Kali), Jameel (Katie), Denon (Jess), Dylan (Caleb), and Samyra; and great-grandchildren: William, Quinn, Atticus, Oliver, and Sawyer, as well as 2 on their way.  

Shirly was a character — a wonderfully wacky woman who was never afraid to share exactly what she thought, whether one asked for her opinion or not.  She was hilariously blunt, steadfastly stubborn, and always loud.  She grew up the third youngest of 11 brothers and sisters mostly in Regina, SK, in a big ole French family, which probably explains the volume at which she spoke.  

Needing to find her own niche in life, Shirly convinced her father it was a good idea to send her to the convent in Gravelbourg, SK for high school. She loved her experience there as it gave her the opportunity to be further immersed in the French culture she grew up in and adored. Even though her first career out of high school was a teacher, she spent most of her career as a Social Worker which gave her the opportunity to help and care for people, which she did even in her retirement years through volunteer work.

Shirly was the beloved matriarch of our family, a woman who always sacrificed all for her children, often to the detriment of her own well being.  She was one tenacious lady who held firmly to her beliefs and opinions and wasn’t afraid to stand by them. Loudly – Lol.  She was deeply loved and held a special place of respect in all of our hearts.  Lovingly known as Mémé to her grandchildren, she created a legacy that was bigger than herself: a family rooted in love, laughter, and a whole lot of adventures.  There certainly were no dull moments when Mémé was in the crowd.  Guaranteed.  

She could also take a good joke just as well as she could dish one out, and there was never a shortage of material.  There are stories about Shirly that will be told for generations simply because … well, they could only have happened to Shirly.  Honestly, there are far too many stories about Mémé to fit into one obituary.  From her remarkable ability to get lost wherever she tried to go, to the always interesting birthday calls with original Shirly-esque lyrics, to the family classic when she hung one of her grandkids out a window by their ankles to retrieve a hammer from the roof which somehow seemed like a perfectly reasonable solution to her.  

Our Mémé will be so greatly missed by her entire family, but we take incredible comfort in knowing she is now with her Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.

“The Lord is close to the broken-hearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit”
Psalm 34:18

A Private Family service will be held to honour Shirly.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Shirese Noble Funeral Director 306-693-4550