Shirley Louise Simmonds
October 1, 1967 – April 21, 2019
Shirley floated away peacefully with friends and family by her side this Easter Sunday.
She had been bravely fighting two autoimmune diseases for 25 years, with more bad health days replacing the good recently.
Her strong loving spirit was as always radiant and obvious to the people around her, but her body increasingly started to fail. She was aware that the diseases were shortening her life, but she said many times she was not afraid of death. She believed that nature had never disappointed her in life, and that she didn’t expect nature to disappoint her in death.
Shirley was a perfect traveling partner and, with her husband, went to several warm destinations in the winters, a dream vacation through Europe last spring, and most recently to the Southern U.S.A.
Shirley loved exploring the city and attending festivals and finding little gem restaurants. She had fun golfing and lawn bowling and gardening. She loved cooking for friends and family with a card game after dessert! But what brought her the most joy was helping kids. As a substitute teacher, she could work on her good health days, and she always looked forward to going to a school and having a chance to make a positive difference in young peoples lives.
Shirley was a very loving and beautiful wife. She met her husband Wylie when he was 19 and she was 16 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. They have loved and laughed together until now.
Don’t be sad because its over, smile because it happened.
If you wish to donate, please consider Scleroderma Canada or Lupus Canada.
A Celebration of Shirley’s life will occur on Saturday July 13, 2019
Wylie and extended family,
I am deeply saddened to hear of Shirley’s passing, but I am honoured to call her a treasured colleague and friend. I have known Shirley since we worked together at McLeod way back in 2006. Since then, she was a loyal substitute to me and many teacher friends, at other schools I have worked, including McArthur, where she was pre-booked to work for me just this week. When Shirley came in for others, it was a wonderful day for us as it was full of breaks chatting about life- our latest trips, food, our families and even snoring husbands! Shirley and I always greeted each other with a genuine hug, no matter how long it was we saw each other. It was evident that Shirley loved her job and life itself. I have many wonderful memories, but the two I hold the dearest are the time Shirley showed us her special skill of dancing like the Charlie Brown characters at the Christmas party (I used to tell my students to ask her to show them!) and the other is just this spring when she brought in a bag of books for a student that tugged at her heart (the young girl was so appreciative, Shirley obviously tugged at her heart too). I will miss our chats, my friend, but please know you hold a special place in my heart. My sincerest condolences.
Cory and I send our deepest condolences on the passing of Shirley.She will be missed.
We will forever cherish our trip to New York with you and Shirley
I stumbled across this today. A few years after her passing and your beautiful tribute to Shirley.
I know she loved the kids and the people she worked with on a regular basis. It was her passion. People like you made it happen.
Wylie
So sad to hear of Shirley’s passing.
She will be missed by all that had the pleasure of getting to know her.
Please take solace in knowing Shirl’ brightened the day of everyone she came into contact with.
Take care!
Wylie
So sorry to hear of Shirleys passing. Our thoughts are with you.
So sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. Wylie are thoughts are with you during a time as difficult as this.
Wylie
So sad to hear of Shirley’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time
Wylie this is such sad news. We sure enjoyed Shirley’s happy personality. It’s been years since we’ve seen you but we had lots of fun when we were together at the ITL functions. We are thinking of you and how hard this is.
Wylie we’re so sorry to hear this sad news… Shirley’s Light and Laughter will be truly missed by all of us touched by her life. Our deepest condolences and prayers are with you.
Wylie, Mike and I we were so sad to hear about Shirley. We will always have fond memories of her. She was fun and loved life and had such a joyful spirit. You were very blessed to have had her in your life. We are thinking of you.