Dear Sue and Jeff,
Ryan, Crystal, Takara, Vince and myself would like to send our deepest sympathy to you both.
We have many memories of your mother. Starting with the ones many years ago when we were all growing up. I remember the lunches I spent at Shirley’s house along with Sue of course. I remember the “powdered milk”. I remember our initials in the concrete downstairs. I remember the pictures of Shirley along with my parents off to play tennis at the community courts. The many dinners around my mom’s dining room table, and the hours of laughter!!!
Then my family came along. They say it takes a community to raise children and your mom was part of the community that helped me raise mine. Shirley always spoke so highly of Ryan. She used to say “What a nice boy he is, Donna” She always reminded me of all the times she saw my dad pushing Ryan around the community in the stroller, which was a lot. When Takara came along she used to comment often about her “Big Brown Eyes”. It was later on, when Takara started school, that Shirley took on a bigger role in helping me. Often there were times that I would need to drop Takara at Shirley’s house before school, at lunch or pick her up from Shirley’s house after school. And Shirley was there to help. I would arrive after work to pick Takara up and there they would be having tea, or just finishing tea. Tea had a very important role in our family and also with Shirley. I would sit and visit with Shirley for a few minutes, with my coat on, of course, as it was always “chilly” in Shirley’s house. Same with my mom’s house. Funny!
If I couldn’t fine my mom at her house I would just make the rounds and often find her at Shirley’s having tea.
Shirley was also one of the “Gramma Readers” at the school along with my dear mom and Doris. So many funny stories about the “Little Children” at the school.
Shirley, and the other ladies, continued to read to the children at the school long after Takara had moved on to junior high. Really an amazing commitment. Thank-you Shirley!
I’m sharing all of this with you now so that you know what an impact your mom had on my family. I hope that these stories bring you both some comfort during this difficult time.
I love you both and share in your sorrow.
Donna and Family.
Calgary, AB
