Ann Shirley (Petz) Davidson

Mom was the sixth child born to Alex and Rose Petz, followed by nine more siblings for a total of fifteen children.  Sadly, sister Victoria passed away as a young infant.

Mom was born and attended school in the Tummel district.  As a teenager, mom milked cows for a neighbor, worked as a housekeeper in Winnipeg, along with the many chores of daily living a large family has.

The Petz family moved to Shellmouth and this is where mom met our dad Ray Davidson and their story began.  They were married on February 19, 1948.  The times were busy with a houseful with eleven children and running the little store in Shellmouth.  As times changed, and the kids were now in school or away from home, they closed the store and Mom worked in Russell.  Mom took great pride in her jobs at Robinsons Store and later Reavies’s Pharmacy.  Not one to be idle, mom started working at the Asessippi Provincial Park in different positions.  Mom and Dad took over running the little Shellmouth Post Office and mom continued after Dad passed away until she retired at the age of 75.  Mom was always a hard worker and took great pride in everything she did.

Mom’s pride and joy was her large family of 11 children, 24 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild.  The family continues to grow to over 90 members.

Large family gatherings and Sunday suppers were mom’s passion.  Many special occasions were spent crowded into her home.  A place was set for everyone, in the kitchen, in the livingroom, in the basement…. wherever a little room was left to sit.  But there was always room for one more.  She wouldn’t have it any other way.

The canasta cards always at the ready and many games are played around the kitchen table with friends and family.  Some of the games could be lively in good spirit of the game, but always ended with coffee and lunch and teasing for the losers.

In her later years, mom enjoyed volunteering at the leisure Centre in Russell and bowling afternoons with a great group of friends. 

Mom had a young spirit and never let her age determine what she could do.  She often referred to other folks as the elderly, even if they were younger in years than her.

Mom is loved and remembered by her children, Judy (Rob) Schappert, Penny (Garry) Suehsschlof, Darcy (Tracy) Davidson, Sandra (Dewar) McKinnon, Kelvin (Debbie) Davidson, Candice Davidson, Gayle (Randy) Fingas, Shelly (Elmer) Kaskiw, Wendy (Tom) Wildeman, Colleen (Miles) Nernberg.  Her grandchildren, Melissa (Todd) Bryden, Courtney (Maki) Schappert, Susan Brenner, Jackie (Al) Martin, Kandy Kitz, Sarah (BJ) Wowchuk, Ben Suehsschlof, Tara (Dwayne) Sydor, Travis (Kerri) Davidson, Jennifer (Justin) Oldfield, Catherine McKinnon, Kim Davidson, Kristy Heinbigner, Ryan Davidson, Kent (Tammy) Fingas, Craig Fingas, Heidi (Scott) Wlasichuk, Matthew Kaskiw, Amanda Kaskiw, Steven Kaskiw, Sheryl (Wyatt) Sonderquist, Jade (Jay) Derkach, Reed Nernberg.  Her great grandchildren, Nicholas Spence, Chaelynn (Brayden) Stewart, Brook Spence, Breanne Brenner, Makenzie Kitz, Mikala Fingas, Carson Wowchuk, Owen Heinbigner, Emily Sydor, Talyn Kitz, Gracie Fingas, Elizabeth Fingas, Lauren Brenner, Tucker Derkach, Jessica Sydor, Jamie Fingas, Jaxon Heinbigner, Brooklyn Wilton, Erika Schappert, Tyne Derkach, Radek Fingas, RJ Bryden, Olivia Bryden, Rylan Wowchuk, Jordyn Wilton, Tave Derkach, Kennedy Fingas, Emma Fingas-Green, Charlotte Oldfield, Tori Derkach, Audrey Oldfield, Brodie Fingas.  Her great great grandchild, Wesley Bloxom-Beaver.  Her brother Peter Petz,  brother John (Dolores) Petz, sister Marjorie (Arnie) Wagner, brother Steve (Joan) Petz, sister in-law Ann (Jim) Petz, sister in-law Carol (David) Petz and many cherished family members in both the Petz and Davidson families.

Mom is predeceased by her Scotty Darling Ray, her daughter Connie, grand daughter Abby, grand daughter in-law Karen, daughter in-law Linda. Her parents Alex and Rose Petz, siblings Victoria Petz, George Petz, Mary Zitaruk, Margaret Hooper, David Petz, Elsie Pugsley, Doris Hnatyshyn, Nick Petz, Jim Petz, Kay Brown, in-laws John (Mary) Zitaruk, Gerald (Margaret) Hooper, Bill (Doris) Hnatyshyn, Phil (Elsie) Pugsley, Anne (George) Petz, Betty (Peter) Petz, Rosemarie (Nick) Petz.

Mothers never really die,

they just keep house up in the sky,

they polish the sun by day and light the stars that shine at night,

keep the moonbeams silvery bright

and in the heavenly home above,

they wait to welcome those they love.

-Helen Steiner Rice-