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
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for "all parties" to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Taylor Swift drops 15 new songs on double album, 'The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology'
On Friday, the pop star released her 11th album and at 2 a.m. Eastern, she released "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology," featuring 15 additional songs.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.