HOCH

Shirley Anne Hoch of Rimbey, Alberta passed away at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at the age of 86 years.

Shirley was born on January 7, 1938, in Edmonton, Alberta to Eric and Gertrude Boden.  Being an only child, she was lucky to have a large group of cousins that she spent lots of time with.  Shirley was raised at Pigeon Lake, Alberta and attended school at the Lakedell School.  Following high school, she continued her education at a business school in Edmonton. 

In 1957, Shirley met Alfred Hoch of Wetaskiwin, and they were married on September 6, 1958.  The Hoch family grew with the arrival of Karen in 1959 and Lorne in 1963.  Shirley worked as a bookkeeper while Alfred worked and saved money to buy a farm.  That dream came true when they purchased land in the Yeoford, Alberta area in 1961.  On November 24, 1964, they moved the family to Yeoford where Shirley lived until Alfred passed away in 2017.  After leaving the farm, she moved to the Valley View Manor in Rimbey and then to Long Term Care a year ago.

Shirley was active on the farm helping milk cows and haying.  She always had a big vegetable garden, but especially enjoyed her flower garden.  Shirley constantly kept busy sewing clothes for Karen and eventually for her granddaughters.  She loved sewing Barbie doll clothes, which her great-granddaughter Paige still plays with today.  Shirley also enjoyed quilting, but spent more time designing her quilts than sewing them.  She was a gifted artist and enjoyed different types of painting; her favourite being watercolours, with many fine pieces being cherished gifts to family.  For many years Shirley was active in the Yeoford Ladies Club, the Winfield Art Club, and the Crown Jewels of Canada Society.  Shirley loved her grandchildren with all her heart, and they all loved spending time on the farm during summer holidays.  Shirley and Alfred enjoyed many travels across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia to visit family and friends.  Her favourite trips were to Dawson Creek, British Columbia to see her son Lorne and his family, and explore their part of the country.

Shirley is remembered by her daughter Karen (Bruce) Viney of Olds; and her son Lorne (Patti) Hoch of Dawson Creek.  She is also remembered by her grandchildren Tanya Viney of Bentley; Nicole (Mike) Fischer of Calgary; Jennifer Viney of Livelong, Saskatchewan; Cody Hoch of Dawson Creek; and David Hoch of Penticton, British Columbia; as well as three great-grandchildren Brayden Viney, James Fischer, and Paige Fischer.  Shirley was predeceased by her husband Alfred; her parents Eric and Gertrude; and her grandson Michael Viney.      

With respect for Shirley’s wishes, no formal funeral service will be held.  She will be laid to rest with her husband Alfred in the Mount Clare Cemetery, Winfield at a later date.  If desired, memorial donations in Shirley’s memory may be made directly to STARS Air Ambulance, Box 570, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Calgary, Alberta  T2E 8M7 (www.stars.ca); or to the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, c/o the Rimbey Hospital Legacy Committee, Box 440, Rimbey, Alberta  T0C 2J0 (www.rimbeyhospitallegacycommittee.com).  Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page.

Cremation Arrangements for the Late Shirley Anne Hoch entrusted to the care of