Officiating

  Music

  Tribute

  Eulogy

  Thanks

  Norm

Shirley was a special person and I admired her for many reasons, her basic goodness, her intelligence, good sense, humour, compassion, her appreciation for the environment, her loyalty to friends, and love for her family.  She was a good friend, who was genuinely interested in others and generous in her appreciation of other people.  She was that rare person who actually listened when you talked to her.  She was modest about her own accomplishments and downplayed her own many, talents.

Shirley, with some help from her family, but mostly Shirley, planned this Memorial Service from the opening music to the flowers and food.  She chose the pictures that are on display including the one from their wedding because she said it made her look slim.  She always looked slim but in that one she looks like Audrey Hepburn.

Carol, Nellie, Shirley and I met at Shirley and Norm’s house on Thursday afternoon and she passed away on the following Tuesday evening.  By this time she had arranged for the music, the caterer, the photos, albums, flowers, she even had a list for Norm that told him who should be called and in what order.  Shirley had been to emergency the day before this meeting and she had been rehydrated so she was feeling pretty well, her hair was growing in and it looked sweet, pure silver of course, kind of a style that a small boy angel might wear.  We discussed the memorial service and who would be speaking and Shirley said that she kind of wished she could be there to hear the speeches.  “Well,” I said, “maybe we could have a rehearsal.”  And we all laughed.  It was wonderful; instead of being all weepy and morose, Shirley’s attitude changed an occasion that could have been very difficult into a good memory that I shall cherish.

Ralph and I are well acquainted with Shirley’s cooking ability.  Shirley was healthy cook before it became the IN thing.  She cooked low salt, low sugar and low fat.  I imagine this posed a bit of a challenge in Birthday Cakes but it sure made for wonderful breads and soups.  She was also a preparer of jams, jellies and preserves.  A couple of years ago at Shirley’s request, Norm prepared her a mint bed so that she could make all the mint jelly she wanted.  Well you should see that mint bed.  In the year 2001 there were not enough lambs born to require that much mint jelly.

Shirley said she was not really sure what happens after you are finished with life as we know it on this earth.  I certainly don’t pretend to know, and recently we learn that even Mother Teresa had her doubts and she’s scheduled for Sainthood.  I do know that Shirley lives on in her beloved children, Carol, David, Roger, Evelyn, Bailey and Shelley, in her four beautiful grandchildren, Rachelle, Alexander, Tobyn and Teegan.  I know that her influence and her personality are very much with us today and I know that all living things are composed of energy and that this energy has to go somewhere so maybe there is something beyond this space and if there is, Shirley’s energy will enrich what ever that something is.

I am going to miss her a lot. I will miss her interesting, informative, slightly different and occasionally late Christmas letters, though I hope Norm will continue to do his even more unusual version of the annual news letter.  I’m going to miss her very informed advice on anything that pertains to Health.  She could have written a column on health questions.  I have saved some of her letters including one that gives detailed instructions on how to avoid foot infections in public showers and hotels – very practical advice.

I’m going to miss her, her kids will miss her and her friends and extended family but most of all Norm will miss her.  They did so much together and they were so supportive of each other.  And they had fun.  Well there was the time a couple of years ago that Norm surprised her in the Hallway outside their bedroom wearing a Halloween Mask.  If she had killed him with a floor lamp no jury would have convicted her.

We will close this service with a letter from Norm.

The body has finished its work, but Shirley’s spirit lives on forever in the hearts and minds of those who knew her.  Whenever you feel blue or unhappy, think of her laugh, her smile, her soft touch, her generosity.  Walk in the park, sit on a bench overlooking a peaceful scene; and for you younger friends, stand on top of a mountain and survey the glorious panorama that unfolds before your eyes.  Shirley sends you all her blessing.  Be happy and love one another.  Remember Shirley and be glad.