LoAnne Katherine Shiers, aged 46 years of Elk Point, AB, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 17th, after a long battle with metastatic ovarian cancer.  Born in Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1975, LoAnne shared the same birthday, July 20th, as her late Grandfather, Tom Shiers (something I think they were both proud of).  LoAnne was the sixth child of the late William and Sandra Shiers.  While still a toddler, LoAnne's parents moved her and her siblings to Moose Jaw where she attended King Edward, Empire and Peacock.  LoAnne shared a love of animals with her parents but gravitated at an early age to sharing a love of horses with her father.  She had a small Shetland/quarter horse cross named “Shorty”.  She diligently worked with Shorty on showing him for competition in pony carts and in their years together they won several first place ribbons.  She also had a retired thoroughbred, “Smokin Gord”, of whom she was very proud to be the only one he would ever consider letting ride him.  When she wasn’t working with her own horses she was helping her dad with his standardbred race horses. LoAnne also had a love of theater and participated faithfully in some capacity in most every production while attending Peacock before graduating in 93.

Not long after graduation LoAnne moved to Vermilion to gain her diploma in Office Administration at Lakeland College and be closer to her long time friend, Karen Hawryluk (Dreilick) who had moved there earlier.

LoAnne later moved to Elk Point and took on a few interesting initiatives.  One of which was opening a pet store, “Fins, Feathers and Furry Things”.  LoAnne’s love of animals made this less of a surprise to anyone that knew her.

In 2007 LoAnne gave birth to her only child, Ella.  From that day forward, most everything LoAnne did centered around Ella’s well-being and happiness.

LoAnne later took on the initiative to fill what she deemed a significant gap for youth in Elk Point. Recognizing that gap she saw an opportunity and started the Elk Point Theater Project, a drama club for youth in the Elk Point area.  The club allowed for kids to participate in, and gain experience in, the performing arts. LoAnne valued the contributions the high school theater program at Peacock provided for her and was sure she could make a difference by doing the same for both her daughter and the local youth in Elk Point and surrounding area.  Through this initiative she was able to put together a program supported by several dedicated members of the community and launch a well-respected youth theater program that would leave other communities in awe.  LoAnne used her greatest talent, kindness, to bring together those around her to rally around an initiative she deemed near and dear to her heart.  She set forth to positively impact the youth of Elk Point and, through numerous productions (Little Mermaid; Annie Jr.; Wizard of Oz; Spamalot and; Seussical the Musical) she most definitely succeeded.  Through all of LoAnne's actions, it was clear that kindness drove any and all initiatives she engaged in.

News of LoAnne’s diagnosis was a shock to her siblings.  We all were concerned with her being physically displaced from the rest of us and knew there would be significant struggles ahead.  Our concerns were soon laid to rest when it became apparent LoAnne had formed an extended family of her own in Elk Point.  Her friend and employer, Cody Dillon of Shock Oilfield was a real savior in his flexibility working with LoAnne’s erratic schedule and, most recently in sharing his concern and empathy towards our family in LoAnne’s last days.  LoAnne had formed friendships with all her fellow employees and often boasted of how great a place it was to work. LoAnne’s friends, Jenn Germain, Connie Henderson, Tracy Loughran and Jodi Smith all rallied around LoAnne these last months making sure she was cared for, helping look after Ella and, seeing she was able to make all her appointments.  The Shiers family would like to extend our thanks to you all for the love and kindness extended to LoAnne as she battled through her illness.

Additionally the family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nurses, doctors and staff of the Elk Point Community Health Center for their care and compassion provided to LoAnne while in their care.In the last few months LoAnne showed a degree of humility and strength in battling her illness.  So much so it has left the rest of us in awe.  She never lost sight of what was truly important to her, first and foremost her daughter Ella.  In her passing she leaves behind a legacy of kindness and love that would be hard to surpass.

LoAnne was predeceased by her parents, William and Sandra. She is survived by her daughter Ella Smith of Elk Point, AB; brothers, Brett and Mark (Cheryl) of Moose Jaw, SK; sisters, Crystal (Kirby) Froese and Christine (Todd) Marasse of Moose Jaw, SK; brother, Billy (Shelly) Shiers of Fleming Island, FL;  as well her aunts, uncle and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of LoAnne’s life will be held on Sunday, May 29th, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in Elk Point Alberta at the Elk Point Allied Arts and Leisure Center. In lieu of flowers, donations in LoAnne’s memory may be made to the Bonnyville SPCA (www.bonnyvillespca.com) or to a charity of one’s choice.  Arrangements are entrusted to Memento Funeral Chapel, 5201 Lakeshore Dr. Bonnyville.  Amanda Green, Funeral Director 780-826-3133 www.mementofuneralchapel.coM