Obituary for Shirley Mae Winnifred Heine (Biggs)
Shirley Mae Heine (nee Biggs) of Medicine Hat, Alberta, beloved wife of Doug Heine, passed away peacefully at Riverview Care Centre on Sunday, June 11th, 2023 at the age of 88 years. Shirley was born, raised and educated in Medicine Hat.
She had a deep love of music and was gifted with a beautiful singing voice. As a result, she focused her education in the arts by obtaining her Associate Degree (ARCT) Diploma in music. She used her gifts to enrich generations of students by instilling a love of music, its history and theory. In addition to private lessons, she taught Early Introduction to Music to all kindergarten classes in Medicine Hat. Shirley enjoyed directing Adult, Youth, and Childrens Choirs. She volunteered for many years with the Rotary Music Festival.
Shirley belonged to the Choristers Guild of America, was a member of PEO, and attended St Barnabas Church. She was a member of Cottonwood Coulee Golf Course and enjoyed golfing around the world. She was a proud member of the “hole in one” club.
Family trips included camping in Sorrento and attending music camps around North America. Travelling internationally began with volunteering as a family for the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia in 1982. Since then, they have travelled to all 7 continents, which included a 68-day Cruise to South America and Antarctica. Other memorable destinations were a Safari in Africa, River Cruises, trips to Europe, Israel, and numerous other countries. “Ever the Adventurer”, Shirley rode camels in Egypt, Dolphins in Mexico, Ostriches in Africa and Elephants in Thailand.
Shirley is survived by her husband of 68 years, Doug Heine. Doug and Shirley were sweethearts in high school and were married on July 30th, 1954. She is also survived by one son, Kent (Ruth) Heine and their children, Jordan (Sondra) Heine, Andrea (Chad) Coene, and Sarah Heine (Cory Hauge); daughter, Sharon (Mickey) Todd and their children, Jennifer (Vay) Tu, Jordan (Tarla) Todd, and Nathan Todd (Billy Teng); great-grandchildren, Kien Tu, Harper Tu, Paisley Coene, and Hudson Heine.
She was predeceased by her parents, George and Dorothy Biggs; her brother, Gordon Biggs, and sister, Queenie Miller; Doug’s father, John Heine, and stepfather, Rudolph Heine; mother, Rose Heine (Maves), and an infant son, Gerald Heine, who died at birth.
Sadly, Shirley was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2011 and spent many years in the loving hands of the caregivers at Riverview Care Centre. Those wishing to remember Shirley may do so through a donation to the Alzheimer Society at #101, 1201 Kingsway Ave SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 2Y2.
She was a very faithful Christian, who set a strong example for all of us to follow. The Funeral Service will be held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 635 - 4 Street SE, Medicine Hat AB T1A 0L1, on Friday, June 23rd, 2023 at 2:00 pm with Rev Oz Lorentzen officiating. If unable to attend, family and friends are welcome to participate via livestream by logging on to St Barnabas Anglican Church website and joining the live webcast on either the Facebook or YouTube links at the above date and time. There will be no interment as Shirley will be cremated, as per her request. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Shirley Heine.
She had a deep love of music and was gifted with a beautiful singing voice. As a result, she focused her education in the arts by obtaining her Associate Degree (ARCT) Diploma in music. She used her gifts to enrich generations of students by instilling a love of music, its history and theory. In addition to private lessons, she taught Early Introduction to Music to all kindergarten classes in Medicine Hat. Shirley enjoyed directing Adult, Youth, and Childrens Choirs. She volunteered for many years with the Rotary Music Festival.
Shirley belonged to the Choristers Guild of America, was a member of PEO, and attended St Barnabas Church. She was a member of Cottonwood Coulee Golf Course and enjoyed golfing around the world. She was a proud member of the “hole in one” club.
Family trips included camping in Sorrento and attending music camps around North America. Travelling internationally began with volunteering as a family for the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia in 1982. Since then, they have travelled to all 7 continents, which included a 68-day Cruise to South America and Antarctica. Other memorable destinations were a Safari in Africa, River Cruises, trips to Europe, Israel, and numerous other countries. “Ever the Adventurer”, Shirley rode camels in Egypt, Dolphins in Mexico, Ostriches in Africa and Elephants in Thailand.
Shirley is survived by her husband of 68 years, Doug Heine. Doug and Shirley were sweethearts in high school and were married on July 30th, 1954. She is also survived by one son, Kent (Ruth) Heine and their children, Jordan (Sondra) Heine, Andrea (Chad) Coene, and Sarah Heine (Cory Hauge); daughter, Sharon (Mickey) Todd and their children, Jennifer (Vay) Tu, Jordan (Tarla) Todd, and Nathan Todd (Billy Teng); great-grandchildren, Kien Tu, Harper Tu, Paisley Coene, and Hudson Heine.
She was predeceased by her parents, George and Dorothy Biggs; her brother, Gordon Biggs, and sister, Queenie Miller; Doug’s father, John Heine, and stepfather, Rudolph Heine; mother, Rose Heine (Maves), and an infant son, Gerald Heine, who died at birth.
Sadly, Shirley was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2011 and spent many years in the loving hands of the caregivers at Riverview Care Centre. Those wishing to remember Shirley may do so through a donation to the Alzheimer Society at #101, 1201 Kingsway Ave SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 2Y2.
She was a very faithful Christian, who set a strong example for all of us to follow. The Funeral Service will be held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 635 - 4 Street SE, Medicine Hat AB T1A 0L1, on Friday, June 23rd, 2023 at 2:00 pm with Rev Oz Lorentzen officiating. If unable to attend, family and friends are welcome to participate via livestream by logging on to St Barnabas Anglican Church website and joining the live webcast on either the Facebook or YouTube links at the above date and time. There will be no interment as Shirley will be cremated, as per her request. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Shirley Heine.