Obituaries

KELLY-DAWN BIRRELL

MARCH 27, 1974 – JULY 3, 2022

     It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Kelly Birrell after a very courageous battle with cancer.

Kelly leaves to mourn, her son Jordan Birrell; mother, Kathy Leveque; father, Don Birrell (Joanne); her brother Paul (Liz); her sister Danielle (Kieran); her partner, Jerry Sawatsky and his mother, Leona; and her very special friend, Jessica Eyssens. She is also survived by her granddaughter Avaya, with whom she spent many special times. Kelly was predeceased by her partner John Stanko in 2020, and her dear grandson Brody Birrell-Gruhn in 2015. She will be missed as well by her nephews Andrew (Vanessa), Robert, Declan and Kevan, plus numerous cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

Kelly was born in Winnipeg on an extremely cold day in late March to Kathy and Don. She was a beloved, dearly wanted, and beautiful baby. She made her presence known early on always tagging after Paul and Danielle. She was courageous, fearless, and marched to the beat of her own drum. She attended St. Ignatius School, St. Mary’s Academy, River Heights School, and graduated from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate. She even ran away with the circus once! She never did anything the easy way and after becoming a mom to Jordan at an early age, she went back to school and earned her Business Administration diploma.

Kelly could sell anything to anyone. She had the gift of the gab and charisma to spare. She worked in a variety of industries and made her mark wherever she went. One of her great business accomplishments was travelling to Ireland while she was a liquor rep. She also really liked working in the hospitality industry; we know all her regulars at Roxie’s in Selkirk, Ricky’s in Lockport, South Beach Casino and DJs in Winnipeg, will miss her big smile and great service.

She was as beautiful as she was kind and complicated. Tall and blond and gorgeous, she turned heads wherever she went. She was super smart and loved to laugh and sing karaoke with friends and have a good time – either at the Palomino Club, Grand Beach, cooking at home with John, on a patio on Corydon, at Lilac Resort with Jerry, beating everyone she played at Cribbage, or doing anything at all with Jordan, Brody, and Avaya. Some of her most favourite times were those she spent in Mexico earlier this year, starting with the trip of a lifetime with Jordan, and then remaining on her own for some rest and relaxation.

The family would like to thank Michael and all the staff at the Never Alone Cancer Foundation; Dr. Ansarian; Dr. St. Godard; Father Sam; and the entire Palliative Care team at St. Boniface General Hospital especially Nicole, April, Joanna, Colleen and Jody, for all their support and kindness during this difficult time. There are so many people to thank for the kindness they showed Kelly and we apologize if we missed anyone.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Never Alone Cancer Foundation.

Kelly will be laid to rest at a private family gathering. A Celebration of Life for Kelly will be scheduled at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com