It is with heavy hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Shirley Durand, of Tumbler Ridge, BC .
Shirley is predeceased by her brother Paul Wilson, her mother Frances Wilson and her father Stewart (Earle) Wilson.
Shirley leaves behind her husband of 51years, Orville Durand. Her children, Aimee, Lee (Saudy), Jacob (Leslie), Jessica (Joël), her 12 grandchildren, Courtney, Tamara, Jeremy, Nikayla, Gracie, Keyanna, Trinity, Rebekka, Lucas, Ella, Elijah, Remington, and her great grandson Briggs.
Shirley was born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario where she met the love of her life, Orville. The two fell fast and hard and were married on July 10th 1971. Shirley’s 21st birthday.
Soon after they wed they had their first child Aimee, and then a few years later their second, Lee. They relocated soon after to Alberta where they found home in Grande Prairie and had two more children, Jacob and Jessica. The happy couple spent 51 wonderful years together.
They soon felt a little over-crowded in their town house and found solace at their farm in Goodfare, Alberta, where they raised their children for another 12 years. Once the children had all grown up, they relocated for retirement to Tumbler Ridge, BC.
Shirley was a woman who fiercely loved God. She lived through him and you could see that in the way she loved, how she spoke and the way she loved to help people.
Growing up, they were very involved in the church and found a lot of friends along the way, they were always there to lend a hand, organize craft meets and welcome anyone in with open arms. We spent many many weekends on the farm having church picnics in the backyard, close to the creek around the incredible flower beds that she created and recreated many times.
She spent many of her days cooking, gardening, canning and whatever crafts she could come up with. Shirley thoroughly enjoyed making blankets, sweaters, scarves, dishcloths and all kinds of ceramics for her children and grandchildren. She was a woman that never stopped. Growing up on the farm was nothing short of exhausting as a child. Just when you thought the snow was coming and she would stop making you weed the garden, or pick berries, she would start another project, canning, home renos, it was never ending. The laughs and fun that it brought her children was irreplaceable, the days spent eating more of the pickings than actually putting them in the bucket, she would holler, roll her eyes and laugh.
Her children were always her priority. She was there at any time of the day or night, including when the grandchildren started coming. However an empty nest just wasn’t comforting enough, so against her husbands wishes, she came home with Jack, a beautiful little dog. I can say this spoiled little dog definitely got the best deal and the greatest dog mom.
A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held Saturday, September 17th, 2022 at 2PM at Hillcrest Mennonite Church (10306 102 Street) in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
The family would like to send a sincere Thank you to the Tumbler Ridge Medical Clinic and paramedics, and the Bear Creek funeral home.
Memorial donations can be made in Shirley’s Name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation www.heartandstroke.ca.
