5 August 1945 – 15 May 2010
It is with immense sadness that we must announce the sudden loss of our beloved Mom, Mother in law, Grandma, sister, Aunt, and friend Shirley Vanderkemp.
After a tragically brief 2 month battle with lymphoma Shirley died peacefully on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon while surrounded by her loving son and daughters at the Victoria General Hospital.
She will be profoundly missed by her children; Rod Vanderkemp of Surrey, BC, Teresa (Mark) Svensson of Victoria, BC, and Shauna (George) Stotts of Courtenay, BC. Her absence will also be keenly felt by her grandchildren; Kerry Vanderkemp, Malcolm Svensson, & Becca Stotts.
She is survived by her two older sisters; Margaret (Murray) Shackel of Merville, BC, Winnie Smith of Oliver, BC and by her older brother Cameron (Shirley) Smith of Abbotsford, BC. Nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues are also left to mourn her sudden death.
She was a wonderful mother, loving all of her children unconditionally & supporting them without judgments through all of life’s ups & downs. She was an exceptionally perfect Grandma to her 3 grandkids, loving them tremendously & spoiling them just the right amount.
Shirley was only 64 years young & had recently taken an early retirement after working for 32 years as a very dedicated employee of Zellers. While most will remember her smiling face from the Courtenay store she had spent the last few years working in the jewelry department at the Campbell River store.
Our Mom was the kindest, sweetest lady who lived a very simple life. After her husband, Leo, died in 2003 she sold her house in Merville and moved to her dream condo on the ocean in Willow Point, Campbell River. She loved nothing more than to sit on her patio along with her two feline friends, Tasha & Queequeg, with a hot cup of tea & a good novel, enjoying her spectacular view.
Although no service has been planned Shirley’s family hope that friends, acquaintances, & loved ones will take the time to share any special memories or stories they have about Shirley in the condolences section below. We would also like to encourage you to visit the memorial page our family has set up, “In loving memory of Shirley Vanderkemp”, at the www.bccancerfoundation.com website. For those who wish to do so, a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation in honour of Shirley’s life can be made via this memorial page.
“Just like me, they long to be – close to you…”
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Peggy Abbott
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Mary Bickford I was so sorry to hear of your Mum’s passing. When I would see her in Zellers she was always so pleasant , cheerful, and helpful! From talking to my friends, there are many of us that will miss her. My thoughts are with you at this sad time.
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Peggy Abbott To Shauna, Theresa and Rod –
It is still very hard to believe that Aunt Shirley is gone. When I was told that she was sick, a numb disbelieving feeling came over me and it was very hard to concentrate on anything but Aunt Shirley and you.
On the day Aunt Shirley died, it was a sunny afternoon with a soft warm breeze. A lot of tears were shed but then the sound of her laughter could be heard in my mind which made me smile.
Going through pictures and the shots of family weddings, Aunt Shirley is always smiling and laughing. Looking at that I can still hear her infectious laugh and hear her comments as if it was yesterday.
Aunt Shirley was a big support to me when mom, her sister Margaret, was so sick last year. She was always there giving her support which was greatly needed and appreciated. I know that no words can help with the loss that you are feeling right now Shauna, Terry and Rod but know that Doug, the kids and I are always here if there is anything that we can do, say or help with.
I know that her grandchildren were very important to her and that she loved and spoiled them which is the right of every loving grandmother.
Aunt Shirley has touched so many people in her lifetime through her work, her family and socially. She was a greatly respected lady and especially a very supportive and loving aunt. I will miss her greatly. There will always be a part missing from our lives without her.
Love you guys. Aunt Shirley, I will always love you and will miss you.
Peggy
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Marcella Begin I first met shirley when I started a zellers in courtenay. Then we both started working at the campbell river store. She was a wonderfull friend and lady I was very sorry to hear that she so sick. I will miss her . She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.My deepest condolences to her family
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Bates Beach Gang (George, John, Harold & Wendy) We enjoyed the times when Leo, Shirley and the kids would camp here at Bates Beach with us. They were fun and helpful to have around and we have missed seeing you all. We are very sorry for your loss and send our thoughts to all of you. Please drop down as we would all love to see you.
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winnifred smith i loved her.i helped raise her taking her with me all thos early years. will never wnderstant GODS plan for each of us. my love teressa rod and my dear shauna, auntwinnifred.
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Jack Watchman It is with a heavy heart I forward my condolences on the loss of yet another parent of Rod, Teresa, and Shauna. Shirley will be remembered as a hard working,loving and lovable woman.
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Chris B I am so sorry to Shirley’s family for thier loss. Shirley was a wonderful lady, who was always straight up and told things like they were. I wasn’t as fortunate as some who had worked with her or known her for many years, but what I knew of Shirley I liked. I know she loved her family and friends dearly and she will be missed. I can’t walk past the jewelery counter without thinking about her. Her laugh was contagious and she was a great person.
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Michelle Lau My deepest sympathies to Rod, Theresa and Shauna…I worked at Zellers in Campbell River with your mom Shirley for the past 5 1/2 yrs. I have many fond memories of your mom and conversations that we had and all the support she offered me in times of need. She truly is someone that I will miss dearly, it just doesn’t seem the same around work without Shirley, I miss hearing her voice over the PA making announcements, she had a beautiful voice and could articulate everything just so, she really had a talent. Take comfort in knowing what an impact your mom had on everyone and how lasting those memories will be. She reallly was bigger than life.
With love,
Michelle
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Jane and George Wedge Our sympathies go out to the family of Shirley. I have known and worked with Shirley for the last 30 years. She was a very special lady to me. I will miss her immensely. Our prayers are with you
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Annake Mckay To Shirley’s Family my condolences to each and everyone of you.To her co-workers and friends I feel your sadness and loss .Shirley was a wonderful person and a very hard worker.We already missed her the day after her last day of work. We all had great plans to visit and chat and catch up with her retirement life. I will miss her storys and her radiant smile.She will always forever be in our hearts.
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Rosemary Kegler I was blessed to have worked with Shirley for 5 1/2 years, and she was such a ball of energy and laughter. When they moved the pharmacy and jewellery to opposite ends of the store, I missed her smile every day on the way to my department so I’d try to make the time to stop and see her more often than the once a week to pick up our special signs. We’d often commiserate about whatever was bothering us and always, always we ended up laughing. She was a joy to know and honestly, I never thought we’d lose her. Her strength, her kindness and her laughter will linger in our hearts.
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sue ;brian;hoffert our sincere condolences rod teresa shauna.your mom was the bestfriend ever we were so glad to have had the chance to see her in january.we had a lot of good times with your mom &dad .we will miss shirley very much. our thoughts are with you at this time . love brian sue
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Karen Casselman With Shirley went a book of knowledge. She taught many people over the years how to do things right and her way. She was the foundation of our store in CR. If we needed to know something it was Shirley we asked. When I lost my Mom to cancer a year and a half ago Shirley was there with a shoulder to cry on then also to tell me to buck up that Mom wouldnt want to see me cry. Im going to miss you my friend and teacher…..thank you!
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Bonnie Warren To the family I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Shirley the whole time she was in Campbell River. She became a really true, good friend who I would talk to about my family with and the trials that came along with being a single mom. She always supported me, and often told me how much she loved getting my “Christmas Letters”. She had such a big heart, which she showed me often, even just this past December when I was off the whole month after having surgery she sent me a beautiful card and beautiful flower arrangement because she knew I would appreciate it so much. She was right. As a co-worker she was so great to me. Whenever I needed help from her with price changes she would jump at the chance to do my “bulletins” in jewelery. She loved doing them, she loved to work Hard! She loved it also when I would try to get equipment for her every morning….and she realized it was really for me I was getting it as she was doing my work for me. She had a good heart. I loved her dearly. I can’t tell you how much this hurts to have her gone from us. Its too much….three in a year….Our store is mourning deeply for the loss of Shirley Vanderkemp.
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annette friis With sympathy to the family,
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annette friis Shirley and i worked together for 20yrs at Zellers in Courtenay, it was a wonderful friendship, she was always a happy person and a special lady to work with.
I ‘ll miss her very much, rest in peace.
Annette
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marlene and terry verner I cannot believe Shirley is gone! She was one of the strongest women I have ever met. She gave me a sense and feeling that she would be here forever.(only God knows his plans for us) I worked with Shirley for many years. We shared the fashion area’s in Courtenay Zeller’s before she moved to the CambellRiver store. Both of us moved to the jewelery Dept. and I was always glad to get a call from her and more than happy to have her expertise. She truely was the Queen of her dept. and I for one knew I could always get the right information from her to pass along to our customers in the Courtenay store.Shirley loved her family and always had a cute story about her beautiful gran-kids. After Leo passed away Shirley settled into her knew condo and was just about the happiest I had ever seen her. So I take this time to wonder why and say my utmost condolences to all her loved ones. God Bless you Shauna,Teresa,and Rod, and your familys. Also to Margret (Murry) Cameron(shirley) and Winnie.My heart goes out to you all. GOD BLESS Marlene
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Caroline Neumann Dear Family ,
We where sorry to hear of the loss for your mom. We hadn`t seen Shirley since she had moved from the old Hillview Road, but I will always remember one night at about 11:30 pm we got a call from her to say they where looking after their grandson and he won`t stop crying and they could not find his soother. Knowing that Brie was just a baby then they called to asked if we had a spare one so they could get him to clam down. I told your mom that I had one ,but it was Brie spare but was well come to it. ( a little used) She said that at this point she didn`t care and trucked down the road in her PJ`s for a soother.
Our thoughts are with you all at this time.
Rob, Caroline, Alyssa & Brie Neumann
( Hillview Road)
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Margaret & Leo Blake Our loss, Heavens gain!
Shirley and Leo were the first friends we made when we moved to the valley 20 years ago.
Shirley will always be remembered for her bubbly laughter and Zellers truly lost a wonderful employee. We will miss seeing her in Zellers both in Courtenay and Campbell River.
There are no words that will ease the pain her children are now feeling but hope you know the support of friends is always here for you and hopefully a comfort to you. Bless you all!!
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Robert Naswell My deepest sympathies to all of you in the loss of your Mother.
I just found out about it today when I was reading the local paper. Both your Mom and Dad were such good friends with my Dad, Frank Naswell. Now they can all get together and play canasta together again. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
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Lana Mckay Way to young to leave
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Karen Wasilenchuk I was so shocked to read about Shirley in the newspaper. I was a customer who loved to go to the jewellery dept. just because of her. She was always so friendly and I spoke to her every time I went to that dept. and that was many times. I lost my husband to gastric stomach cancer on May 23, 2009 so I just passed his one year memorial. I used to talk to your Mom about my devastating loss & she opened up to me about her loss of her husband & was always so empathetic. My husband was only 66 yrs. old. Your mom died on my birthday(May 15th) and so did my sister-in-law. I used to love my birthdays, but now it is just a reminder that my husband died a week later. Your Mom retired and I was happy for her, thinking she would have many years of retirement bliss. I was so upset to read that she passed away so soon after her retirement. Life is just not fair is it? I missed her from the moment she retired because she always made me feel so comfortable talking to her & I missed her bubbly personality. She to me was a conscientious employee and a hard worker and it was never the same after she left. She left a lasting impression on me for her kindness & compassion shown to me in my hour of need. When I talked to her about my loss, she was truly empathetic and understanding. My heart goes out to your family for your great loss. She will not be forgotten! My sincerest condolences, She will always be watching over you all and smiling and guiding you through life’s journey, just as my husband is doing for me. We miss them terribly and the heartache never goes away completely, but it does subside somewhat. They left a legacy of LOVE…
Karen Wasilenchuk
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Lana Mckay I loved your mom, she was one of the most beautiful woman i have ever met.. always a smile on her face and never had a bad thing to say… plus she made the best food (besides my mom) that i have ever had. Shirley god bless.YOU WILL BE MISSED.
Love you. Lana and Kerry
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Milton Johnson I am so saddened by the news of the passing of Shirley. I was a close friend to Leo and Shirley back in the 60s. Leo and I used to ice skate regularly at the Forum in Vancouver. After skating, we would stop for a coffee at the Lions Drive-In on Hastings and that’s where he met Shirley. I could go on and on with memories of Leo and Shirley.
After Shirley and Leo married they moved to Vancouver Island and I lost touch with them so I really never got to know their children.
My condolences to the Vanderkemp family.
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Denise Fornika My sincere condolences to your family on the passing of your wonderful mom/grandma, Shirley. Her love for each of you was evident every time she mentioned your names.
I worked with Shirley for the past 3 years in the jewellery dept. at Zellers. I started with no experience in retail whatsoever and she patiently taught me all I needed to know to keep “her” department running smoothly! : ) She took pride in our little corner of the store, always keeping everything tidy and looking nice and she was always so kind and courteous to the customers, many of whom have been asking of her whereabouts recently. They have been very saddened to hear of her passing from our midst. I think of her daily and am trying my best to do my part to keep her area of the store as she would have wanted it. We all miss her.
Denise
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Randy Higbee Shirley was a very special person, every time I came into Zellers she would make a point to rib me about something,I never seen her without a smile and always there to lend a hand when needed. Our loss was heavens gain and I’m sure Shirley is up there giveing someone help on something.God bless you Shirley I am a richer person to have known you.To the family, my deepest condolences
Looking at some old pictures of the family and saw pictures of Aunt Shirley and Uncle Leo. Brings back a lot of memories. Just makes me miss her more. She was just too young for this. My thoughts are with you and yours. Love you – Peggy