Born on January 19, 1928 to Percy and Nellie Grover in Lakeville, Kings County, Nova Scotia Shirley passed away in Vancouver, BC at the Purdy Pavilion of the UBC Hospital on June 13, 2019 at 91 years of age after living with Alzheimer’s for 10 years. She is survived by her son Robert, daughter-in-law Sheila, their daughters Isabelle and Meara, her sister Emily, and numerous nieces and nephews, including her favourite niece LaVerne. No funeral services will be held and memorial gifts in lieu of flowers in the form of donations to the Cancer Society of Vancouver are requested. Shirley, or Nana as she was known by her granddaughters, will be greatly missed by her friends, family and all who knew her.
From Shirley’s daughter-in-law Sheila
Shirley:
Today I’m contemplating the many lessons my mother-in-law taught me. Travel when you’re young - it’s not as fun being the old lady getting off the tour bus. Start young and keep going. Ride the donkey and the camel - they stink and you’ll love it. Never pass by a washroom especially if it’s a clean one. Keep in touch with friends. Take a walk every day. Have two vegetables on your plate (actually that’s from my father-in-law but Shirley cooked for him). Say you’re sorry when you’ve made a mistake. Clean up your messes right away - the vehicle won’t leave without you if you wash the dishes. Laugh. Do silly stuff just for fun. And you can grow beautiful roses without knowing exactly what they are - the yellow one is descriptor enough.
We have missed you so much for so long. Rest now, Shirley Patricia Stewart. The trip is over.
Love Sheila
From Shirley’s Favourite Niece LaVerne
Dear Shirley
You will be missed by me as when you came home you always had fun. Something stupid always happened that we got a great laugh over every September. I always get sad because she's not here. We have so many memories of all the things we did with her. One example - She and I went to Halifax to see Charlie Pride.
Those were the days when her nails were glue on. She did something. I can't remember what and her nail flipped off on to the hairdo of the lady in the seat if front of us. How can we get it back? We couldn't, so can you imagine that lady finding that nail in her bed the next morning. I wonder if she still has the same husband. I bet he did some wild "exsplanning" like Ricky Recardo said. We had a great laugh over that.
Life here is good, both of us (Gerald and I) have a few health problems mostly heart related. I am waiting for an echo gram to tell how much damage was done but I just keep going. I haven't got time to slow down, too much I want to do. Thanks for calling about Shirley. Both of us send our sympathy.
Love LaVerne