It is with sweet sorrow and sadness that we announce the passing in Piccadilly Care Centre of Shirley Margurette Stewart on June 20, 2012 at the age of 84 years from complications of Alzheimer’s.
Shirley leaves behind to mourn her, four children, Evelyn (Bob) Turner of Sicamous, Carol (Ron) Tyssen of Salmon Arm, Douglas (June) Stewart of Salmon Arm and Donna (Brian) McMillan of Kamloops; eight grandchildren; Michelle, Shannon, Kim, Brad, James, Ashley, Melanie and Bryce; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Joyce (Jim) Johnson of Salmon Arm and Arlene Brown of Salmon Arm, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Allen and Ellie Ellis, baby James Allen and husband Lloyd.
Shirley was born in Victoria, British Columbia on July 15, 1927, the first of three children. At the age of 7, she and her family moved to Salmon Arm and settled in Gleneden where they felt at home with many other Finlanders.
Shirley attended school in Gleneden and Salmon Arm until Grade 10 after which she took a job at the Salmon Arm Farmers Exchange next to her best friend Mamie Hill. It was during that time that she met the love of her life, Lloyd Stewart and they married in July of 1948.
Together they farmed a property in the valley that is now known as the DeMille Corn Farm. This property supported the family as well as Lloyd working for NOCA Dairies. Shirley did more than her share of work on the farm and volunteered in the community in which she loved so much. As a young mother, Shirley’s life was busy with farming, raising a family and volunteering with the Valley Women’s Institute. She loved working side by side with the other ladies of the Women’s Institute and spent many hours laughing, cooking, baking and creating a close camaraderie that bonded their lives.
Shirley also volunteered with many other organizations throughout her life such as the Farmers Institute, Royal Purple, Pioneer Lodge, March of Dimes, Graduation Breakfast Committees and the Breast Cancer Mammography Screening As much as Shirley was involved with volunteering, she loved entertaining family and friends in her home and she was the best hostess of all. She also embraced the many friends that were involved with her in curling, golf, Shuswap RV Camping Club, and life in general around Salmon Arm. Shirley loved family and community. Her love, laughter and giving nature will be truly missed.
A funeral service will be held at Bower’s Funeral Home, June 28th@ 2pm. with Reverend Fred Duck officiating and a tribute presented by cousin Mervin Maki.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Piccadilly Care Center, especially Blackburn Lane, for their kind and compassionate care of Shirley.
If so desired, contributions in memory of Shirley may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or to the charity of your choice.
Online condolences can be sent through Shirley’s obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com
Arrangements are in the care of Bowers Funeral Home and Crematorium, Salmon Arm.