Shirley Baldwin Leacock was our aunt and amidst the lingering sorrow there is a continuing joy in having known her, learning from her example and seeing the world through her eyes.

Aunt Shirley thought about other people and had a way of inspiring them to help themselves and rise to their better possibilities. She was kind, generous, and had an excellent sense of humour as when she unlocked our Sylvan Lake outhouse after one of the our younger relatives padlocked one of us inside. Aunt Shriley inspected the situation as if for the first time and commented, “Well there was a place to sit but the general aura was awful.”

At the lake Aunt Shirley meant laughter, with all the cousins. There were; BBQs, with storybooks read to the younger ones, as well as paddle boards, sandcastles, and picnics at the beach. Aunt Shirley, Aunt Jean and our mother blended young and old to create memories we all treasure.

The obituary in the Calgary Herald was a gift. It was as if Aunt Shirley opened the door and walked through and then quietly closed the door. As she progressed, it instilled her importance as a role model, her indominable spirit and her sensible happy nature. We were very fortunate to have her in our lives. She will always be remembered.