James (Al) Allan Shorten

Al Shorten passed away on Valentine’s Day, a day he had marked faithfully for years by sending cards to his three daughters, Janice, Patti and Lynda, and to his beloved wife Joyce.

His favorite pastime in his last year was to defy the expectations of doctors, surviving health crisis after crisis, all so that he could go home to his Joyce. In the end, although his spirit and intellect remained strong, his heart could not go on.

Al was born in Calgary in the opening years of the Depression. He loved poetry, and could recite poems he had learned in school till his final days. He wrote poems, and signed them Shortfellow. He wrote vivid stories about his childhood on the Prairies. Art gave his life meaning, and he continued to paint, draw and colour right to the end. But the chief source of meaning in his life was family: his wife of 67 years; his daughters; theirhusbands Ian, Glenn and James; his grandchildren, Michael and Nadine, Dan and Kelsey, and Graeme and Nick; daughter-in-law Stephanie, son-in-law Chad and great grandchildren Kylaand Devin.

The family would like to thank the staff at Evergreen Heights for the wonderful care they gave Joyce and Al. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Chapel at Evergreen (1550 Oxford Street, White Rock, BC)