On a sunny Sunday, we said goodbye to our beloved mum, Shirley, who passed away in palliative care at Glengarry Hospital in Victoria, BC.
An independent, quietly remarkable woman, she leaves a legacy of rich memories and close family, friend and community connections.
Born to Roma Kenny Jamieson in Montreal, Quebec, Shirley grew up there and in Morin Heights in the Laurentians north of the city. She was raised largely in the company of strong women, key among them her mother, her Scottish grandmother Mabel, and her Aunt Bunty.
After graduating as an RN from the Montreal General Hospital, Shirley worked at the Montreal Neurological Institute. She made lifelong friends during that time and returned regularly to Montreal for class reunions.
While nursing, she met Hugh Montgomery, recently arrived in Canada from Belfast, Northern Ireland. They married in 1954 and opted to make their home in lake and ski country, raising their five children at Lac Echo near Morin Heights, with Hugh commuting to work in Montreal. Shirley managed their hectic household with a steady hand, good sense and much humour, fostering traditions and attitudes that live on in the homes of her children. In equal measure, Shirley was adept at managing a full social, travel and recreational sports calendar with Hugh and their wide circle of friends. Pourquoi pas? was a favourite phrase of hers.
In 1989 Shirley and Hugh moved to Victoria, BC. They quickly forged new friendships and activities, which Shirley carried on after Hugh’s sudden death in 1995.
Shirley was born with the spirit of everyday gratitude. She was an incurably kind, optimistic, fun, energetic and unflappable human being. Generous beyond measure, she could only be broken of the gift-giving habit in her last chapter.
Throughout her adult life she was a committed volunteer, a great cook, an inventive knitter and sewer, and a canny card player. She was mad for skiing, walking and birding. She liked travel, live music and a Perfect Rob Roy. She was a regular at jazz and film festivals. She was a steadfast post and email correspondent. Until she gave up driving in her 80s, she set off routinely on road trips to visit friends and family or simply to explore new horizons.
Her children will be forever grateful to have had her as a mother: Georgina (Lawrence Pitt), Hugh (Kim), Sean, Jamieson and Shelagh. She was a loving grandmother to Naomi Pitt, Claire and Liam Montgomery, Kyla Tymchen, and Olivia and Aidan Montgomery. She is also warmly remembered by cousins in Toronto and North Carolina and nieces and nephews in Northern Ireland, England and Australia.
The family are deeply indebted to the extraordinary staff at Glengarry Hospital, Shirley’s home since 2014. We can’t thank them enough for all the care, compassion and support they gave Shirley and us.
A small family celebration of Shirley’s life will take place at a later date. Anyone wishing to make a charitable donation in Shirley’s honour is invited to consider the Eldercare Foundation of Vancouver Island or another worthy cause of choice.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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