Obituary of Shirley Drager

Shirley was born to Malcolm and Badria Saul in Edmonton, AB on July 24, 1933, and would become an older sister to siblings Sylvia and Dean.  After finishing school she pursued her passion for music and enrolled at the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music where she earned her degree.

Life would have her returning to Edmonton where she met and married Kasim (Joe) Piric. Ramy was born in 1968 and the next year the Piric’s purchased the Lougheed Hotel and made the move to rural Alberta. Their daughter Dina was born in 1970 and tragically, the following year, Joe was killed in a motor vehicle accident.

With the support of her mother, Badria, who lived with the young family, Shirley courageously continued to run the hotel with the help of dedicated staff.  It was there that she met Robert Drager, who began to work at the bar to help. To the delight of Robert’s Mom, Essie, Rob and Shirley were married in January 1974. Early the next year their daughter Kelly completed the family.

Shirley was a welcome addition to the Lougheed community and quickly became ingrained in small town life. While she enjoyed camping, fishing and watching Rob play ball and curl, Shirley made sure her children were also exposed to the arts and took them on trips to the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton where they saw plays and musicals such as “Les Misérables”. She hoped this would help provide them with a little culture!

Many students sat at the grand piano in her living room where they were instructed by Shirley. A skilled and talented pianist, she wanted her students to love music as much as she did!

Family was the most important thing to Shirley and she took care of those she loved with quiet dedication and devotion. Her gentle spirit and kind soul endeared her to people and her mother-in-law told Rob, “Little boy, you couldn’t have done better if I had picked Shirley myself.”

Shirley was diagnosed with dementia and after a time was admitted to Rosehaven and then Killam Long Term Care where she resided for nearly a decade.  Shirley was a favourite of the staff and she and Rob became an important part of this family. Shirley passed away on November 4, 2024; she left gently and quietly, the same manner in which she lived her life.

Shirley is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Robert; children Ramy, Dina Alderdice (Paul), Kelly (Don); Grandchildren Dylan (Blair) and Lucas Alderdice and Joey and Jessi Drager as well as great granddaughter Adison Alderdice. Shirley will also be missed by many extended family members, neighbours and friends.

Rest easy Shirley, Heaven’s orchestra has gained another angel.

Celebration of Life will be held at the Lougheed Community Hall on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 1:00 pm.