Obituary of Mary Florida Shirley
Mary Florida (Flora) Shirley born in Minto, New Brunswick on June 21, 1927 to Jeanne (Gauvin) and Joseph Williams. She passed away peacefully on February 12, 2024 at the DECH. Family was at her side.
She loved and cherished her children, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She never forgot birthdays and made sure the cards were mailed ahead of time with a little gift tucked inside. She began worrying about Christmas in September and was still checking on December 24th to make she hadn’t forgot anyone from her list.
She loved her friends and neighbors. She thoroughly enjoyed travelling with her “Bingo Friends” (Irene Gillcash, Irene West, Ruth Colwell, Louise Madore and Theresa Brown) to Fredericton for many years. She lived in her apartment for over 30 years and considered her neighbors as ‘her second family’. She loved to crochet and spent hours on her word-find books. She enjoyed baking and for years provided the ‘chocolate cake’ for many funeral luncheons. We will all miss her amazing Pies.
She spoke positively about her job at the North Minto Hospital. She shared wonderful memories of her work especially her love of working with the many newborns in her 20-year career. In later years, when she became a resident in the same building she joked “I think I’m going to try to get my job back”.
She is survived by one of her eleven siblings: Alice Hamilton (Ralph) Maugerville; two sons, Hollie Jr.(Miriam) Minto and Walter (Gisela) Moncton; three daughters, Linda Richardson (Brian) Minto, Hilda Meyer (Barry) Lakeville Corner; and Theresa Cameron (Bob); Pembroke, Ontario; and daughters-in-law Andrea and Bonnita (Edward) Minto; ten grandchildren: Glen, Christa-Dawn (Nick), Kayla (Scott), Katie, Holly (Cory), Thomas (Jennifer), Julie (Steven), Robert (Kelsey), Matthew (Ashley) and Darcy Jasmine); ten great-grandchildren: Laura, Lacey, Jayson, Taylor, Madison, Benjamin, Logan, Rhiannon, Everly, Finnley and Makenna and nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband; Hollie Sr., her parents Jeanne (Gauvin) and Joseph Williams; her son, Thomas; grandson, Jeffrey; son-in-law; Eric Richard; five brothers: Henry, Joseph Jr., Theophile, Earl and Paul; and five sisters: Liza Guthro, Doris Reginald, Eva Caissie, Rita MacNamara and Viola Rignanesi.
The family would like to thank Dr. Colby Fulton for years of care to Mom (Nanny) as well as the guidance and support he offered the family. We would also like to thank Paula and staff at the North Minto Special Care Home; staff from Minto Services for Seniors; Laura McNeill and Patsy Spencer for supporting her to remain in her home as long as possible.
Resting at Hogg Funeral & Cremation Services on Saturday from 12 – 2PM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 2:00PM Saturday, February 17, 2024 from Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Internment will take place in Saint Bridget’s Cemetery at a later date. For those who wish, donations made to Saint Bridget’s Cemetery would be greatly appreciated by the family.
Pallbearers are her five grandsons; Glen, Thomas, Robert, Matthew, and Darcy and her great grandson; Jayson. Honorary pallbearers are her long-time friends; Irene West; Ruth Colwell; Diane Golding; Yvonne Legere; Janet Huntington; and Brian Gillcash.