Shanon Lynn Dressler

Shanon got her wings on April 20, 2023, with her sister Barb by her side.

Shanon Lynn Dressler was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on March 16, 1960, along with her twin sister, Sharon, to her loving parents, Daniel and Irma Dressler. Shanon was loved from the moment she arrived as the baby sister of 5 girls.

When the doctors told Irma that the twins had Down’s Syndrome, she was told they would never walk or talk and was advised to put them in an institution. But Irma and Dan decided to bring them home and they grew up surrounded by love.

Shanon had some additional challenges. She struggled to communicate verbally, but she learned and did her best. One of Shanon’s gifts was empathy. She could sense when someone was sad and, as you felt tears rising, you were often met with a pat on the shoulder or a soft squeeze of her hand.

Shanon had a smile that lit up a room and she loved to laugh. Often overcome with excitement or emotion, she had her favourite handkerchief or flag in hand, and she would wave it enthusiastically as she watched a program on TV or listened to music.

Shanon was her father’s daughter – a minister at heart. She loved to greet people at church with a warm handshake and was always attentive to the sermons, nodding in agreement. She would sing her favourite hymns at top volume, and she would often say ‘God bless you’ to folks as they walked by. She had a Bible she often held, and the pages were worn from use.

Shanon was a hard worker and a cheerful helper. Whether raking leaves with her Dad, setting the table for family dinner, or folding napkins, once she had mastered a task, she was unstoppable. And often, she was sporting a hat and sunglasses while she did it.

Shanon loved sports and would review the daily hockey standings in the paper. She knew all the logos from the NHL and loved to cheer on the Oilers.

Years ago, she enjoyed a special trip to Maui with her sisters and attended church on the beach. As she arrived at the service in her wheelchair, she declared, ‘I’m here!’ to which the pastor replied, ‘My sister!’ As she slipped away, we envisioned her joyful arrival in heaven and reunion with her twin sister: ‘I’m here!’. ‘My sister!’

Shanon is survived by her sisters, Barbara (Terry), Grayce (Lyle), and Kathleen; nieces & nephews, Dana (Ryan, Matt & Janessa, Jenaya), Christopher (Lili, Mia, Daniel), Wendy (Lucas), Scott (Casper, Maizee); and our beloved cousin, Janice (‘the sixth sister’).

Shanon was a joy to know and love. She brought so much to our lives, and we deeply miss her. And we know she’s at peace now in her heavenly home, wrapped in the arms of all our loved ones who have gone before her: her sister, Sharon; her parents, Daniel and Irma; brother-in-law, Lyle Holderbein; and all the family pets that have been waiting for her to arrive.

From our hearts, we thank the staff at Res 46, Aspen Village in Sherwood Park, who took care of Shanon with love and tender care. Thanks also go to Dr. Cahill and Shawn Knutsen whose care went above and beyond.

Barb & Terry and family & Kathie want to give a special thank you to Grayce & Lyle for their commitment to caring for Shanon & Sharon. They made a promise to our Mom & Dad and certainly fulfilled it.

The world feels a bit empty without Shanon, but we are filled with memories of her joyful spirit. We will remember her with an iced coffee and a big thumbs up. We love you, Shani.