Shirley Richardson, Winnipeg philanthropist, has died at 98
One of Winnipeg’s best-known philanthropists is being remembered for her generosity to Assiniboine Park.
Shirley Richardson passed away on March 11, 2023, at the age of 98, according to an obituary posted on Dignity Memorial.
The Assiniboine Park Conservancy posted a remembrance online, calling her “an exceptional and dedicated community builder,” and noting the park was a meaningful place for her family.
“Shirley was an exceptional community supporter and builder, and right up until the end, she really, you know, lived her life with a full embrace of passion and love for nature,” said Bruce Keats, chief operating officer with Assiniboine Park Conservancy
Richardson had a special affinity for butterflies, with the conservancy opening a butterfly garden with her name in 2011.
“She would often just show up and watch both young and old, and their interactions with the butterflies and how she got such joy out of seeing folks up close and with nature and certainly with some of these exotic butterflies that she loved so dear,” Keats said.
The Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden is now located inside The Leaf, and Keats said Richardson was able to see it in person in December.
Richardson was also known for helping launch the ParkShare Endowment Fund in 2016. The fund, administered by the Winnipeg Foundation, helps subsidize admission, programming and transportation costs for children, youth and senior groups at the park.
“She had a great love to make sure that everybody had the access to come to the park and be a part of what Assiniboine Park Conservancy offers,” Keats said.
Richardson received the Order of Manitoba in 2022, and was also the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.