MRS. GARNETTE SHIPPOBOTHAM of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Frank Shippobotham, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, November 29, 2009 at the age of 93 years.

Garnette was born on May 11, 1916 on a farm just south of Weyburn, Saskatchewan. She was the fourth child of Howard and Sadie Gamble and had three brothers and three sisters. Garnette as a young girl went to a typical one room school near Forward and learned her three R's but also learned of life on her father's farm. When she was about twenty, Garnette left home and went west to Lethbridge, Alberta where her older sister Ruby lived. She was maid of honor at her sister's wedding to William Johnstone. After arriving in Lethbridge, she gained employment looking after the children of Reverend Garvin of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. This was to be a recurring theme throughout her life. It was while Garnette was living with the Garvins that she studied by correspondence to be a trained Practical Nurse. This would serve her well for the rest of her life by giving her employment first at the Galt Hospital, now a museum, then at St. Michael's. After leaving St. Michael's, Garnette looked after the children of various families or family members of some families that needed constant care. This service gained Garnette many friendships and close acquaintances.

While Garnette lived with the Garvins at the church manse, she met Frank Shippobotham at St. Andrews and they began enjoying each other's company ultimately to be married on June 10, 1941 at St. Andrew's by Reverend Garvin. From this union came their only son Robert.

Garnette belonged to various organizations in Lethbridge, including the Lethbridge Seniors Centre and the Nordbridge Seniors Centre.

Garnette is survived by her son Robert (Margaret) Shippobotham; granddaughter Bobbie-Jean (Donald) Fox; sister Iris Rivest; brother Douglas Gamble; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
Besides her beloved husband Frank, Garnette is predeceased by her parents Howard and Sadie Gamble, sisters Ruby Johnstone, Pearl Foster and brothers Donald and Glen Gamble.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4 Street South, Lethbridge, with Reverend Hugh Jack officiating. Inurnment to follow in the Mountain View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, Box 2211, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4K7 or to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 210D, 12A Street North, Lethbridge, AB T1H 2J1.