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…”
27 Responses
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
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)
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!!
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.
Way to young to leave
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
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
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.
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
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