Shirley passed away after a short battle with cancer.
She was born in Billericay in 1933 and was the eldest of 3 siblings.
Shirley moved several times between Essex and Devon when she was young. She attended Eastwood Girls School and when she left school she worked for Howards Dairies in Southend where she met her friend Rita.
Shirley married Alf and then moved from Eastwood to Hadleigh. She had 4 children and they moved to Thundersley after their first child Jackie was born, soon after Helen was born, followed by Alex and finally Lois.
As the children were growing up Shirley became involved with the Brownies and became their Brown Owl. She also worked for a while as a school cleaner and then a Retirement Home Assistant with Rita. Shirley had another wonderful friend, also named Shirley, who lived next door for a while when the children were young and they remained best friends for life.
Shirley enjoyed many things. Once all the children had left home she took up ballroom dancing with Alf, she also played bowls and loved scrabble, playing a weekly game with Delcie. She would complete the daily crossword and liked watching quizzes on the television.
When she was told she had cancer a few days before Alf died she was even more determined to live.
Shirley did not like confrontation and hated a fight but she fought for her life as she did not want to leave us, she was so strong but in the end her soft, kind and gentle soul lost her only fight against the most terrible of enemies.
She truly will be missed by everyone who knew her.
My kind, caring, and beautiful Nanny. You are missed every day, and I still can't believe you are gone. I found a beautiful quote today that I thought you would like,
"When someone you love becomes a memory, memories become treasure".
And that reminded me of all the times I came to visit, and how much I will treasure those precious moments I spent with you.
Lots of love, Lydia xx
Our wonderful mum
As we lay you to rest today, we will be reflecting upon your life, and what a kind, caring and selfless person you were.
You were laid back, always avoided confrontation , never wanting to upset or offend anyone .
Your family were everything to you , you were the glue that held our family together . You treated people the way you wanted to be treated yourself .
You never complained and faced every day of your illness with great bravery , positivity and dignity to the very end . Thankyou mum for all the lovely memories and for being the most amazing mum to us all. We will miss you every day , and you will live in our hearts and minds forever more .
Mum when you step out of the darkness into the light you will be welcomed with open arms by the lord and will live in eternity forever more .
We pray you will rest in Peace mum , god bless and sleep well.
Much love always your ever loving family 😘❤️😘❤️
Dear Helen, Elise and Natalie,
Your compassion, the way you care so naturally and the love you demonstrate in everything you do, makes me so proud to call you my friends. Take comfort in your treasured memories and cherish them always. All my love and strength xx Tash
Love this verse Xx
In loving memory of Shirley
Maldon park , last yr on dads birthday . A lovely day out with them both . Miss you both so much xx
Paper Mill Lock with Nan a few weeks before she passed away. Miss you Nan xx
My dear Nan, Thankyou for all the lovely memories and the times we spent together, our day trips, holidays and just sitting in your garden in the sunshine, I will treasure them forever. We found it hard to lose and know you didn’t want to go but God only takes the best. Say hello to Grandad, I know he is waiting for you and when you step out the darkness he will be waiting in the light. You can be together again. Forever in my heart, love Elise x
You are sorely missed Nan, we’ll treasure the memories and you’ll forever hold a place in our hearts. Rest peacefully Nan. Love you, Natalie & David xxx
Bobby💕
Such a pleasure to have known Shirley and meet some of her lovely family. Such a lovely calm and kind soul and such an inspiration to me. I’m so glad to have met you Shirley. I have such fond memories that make me smile. Missing you. ❤️
Shirley, we spent many lovely hours scrabbling for words in our weekly battles for nearly 40 years and you taught me so much. We laughed, cried and generally put the world right usually watching Alf mowing the lawn. We watched nature through your webcam or just looking out at the lovely garden. You were such a gentle soul and calming influence. We loved talking about our families and you were so proud of them all and their achievements. I will miss our weekly mind battles but mostly your kind welcoming smile and generous demeanour Rest peacefully dear friend. With love Delcie and Jonathan xx
With love from Delcie and Jonathan xx
In memory of Auntie Shirley
My dear mum
You made me so proud every single day. you were so brave having your radiotherapy , you were wheeled out and had a big smile on your face and said to me "I did it!
I didn't panick!"
You found the mask so uncomfortable even to breath, but that day you were just so happy you'd done it without being anxious. I pushed you out of hospital feeling so proud and happy for you.
You never stopped surprising me mum with your strength, courage and love every single day.
I miss you so much every day but I know you will always be right here next to me.
I love you with all my heart xxx
Oh Shirley what can I say
You left a hole when you slipped away
Nobody knows what to do
Because everyone is missing you
It won’t be the same without you!!
Love Corina 🦋💖 Xx
One of the mornings out with mum at paper mill lock . She was concerned about me pushing her down the slope in the chair back to the carpark. We made it though ! Lovely memories of a wonderful time together . Love you mum 😘
Thank you for being such a wonderful mum,
I have so many lovely memories to treasure I will keep them in my heart.
sleep well mum, rest in peace
Love you miss you! Alex 🙏❤️Xx
One of the last trips I took mum on .papermill lock . She was worried about me pushing he back to the car park , I was reassuring her it wld be ok 😊 and it was ! Thankfully xx
Mum I am so proud of you , the strength you have shown over the last 3 months has been amazing
.we have cried together , and also laughed together , in spite of you pain.
You have left me with some lovely memories that I will treasure for ever . The precious times we did have will always be special . The last walk down the garden , the last time you sang happy birthday to me , and the last time you went to the seafront will in time fill my heart with joy .
We made the most of every day we spent together , and even every night . We sat on your bed looking out on the world , so quiet and so still, and yet somehow it was all so surreal .
Mum , you made me so proud and everything I am today I owe to you , my mum and my very best friend .
Mum you will always be in my heart and I will miss you every day, send my love to dad , and sleep well my precious mum . Love you and miss you always
Helen xx
Lovely memories of a wonderful generous lady
Love this verse Xx
Maldon park , last yr on dads birthday . A lovely day out with them both . Miss you both so much xx
Paper Mill Lock with Nan a few weeks before she passed away. Miss you Nan xx
Bobby💕
One of the mornings out with mum at paper mill lock . She was concerned about me pushing her down the slope in the chair back to the carpark. We made it though ! Lovely memories of a wonderful time together . Love you mum 😘
One of the last trips I took mum on .papermill lock . She was worried about me pushing he back to the car park , I was reassuring her it wld be ok 😊 and it was ! Thankfully xx
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