ANDERSON, Shirley Victoria
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Shirley gracefully slipped into heaven on October 16, 2021, her heart was filled with memories of family, friends and all the joy she had experienced in her amazing 93 years here on Earth. She was a rare kind of woman, like a diamond, but would be better described as a rolling rock, that never collected any moss. Always first in line (even if she had to budge to make it happen) and up for any adventure.
She loved to travel and did so all her years, easily scaling the Myan Pyramids in Belize at the age of 80. Shirley even rode a Camel in Dubai at age 88. In the course of her travels, she has been to all seven continents. Iceland and New Zealand were two of her favorite places.
She was well known in her walking group, and was always proud that she led the way with the younger women, her heart never aged. Shirley has been an avid bridge player and very active in her bridge clubs and took the cash pot home many times.
We lost Her bridge partner and sweetheart, Con, just recently.
Her family, grandkids and great-grandkids were a continuing source of delight, and she was very active and supportive in their lives and careers.
She was born in London, Ont. June 23, 1928, and moved to Brantford, Ont in 1940. Shirley worked at Brantford Roofing for her first job. She met and married her husband and started their family in Brantford, and then moved to Ottawa.
In 1966 the family packed up and moved across the country to Kelowna, BC. She started working at Alpine Furniture and worked there for 25 years and then retired to start travelling the world.
Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Donald A. Anderson. Who has been patiently waiting for her, He will be there to greet her with a whistle and a tune, he will have the car door open, and tell her to jump in, he will wink at her and sing, “on the road again…..I just cannot wait to be on the road again” as he always did, on every trip.
And this is exactly that, her next adventure, her next chapter, her next trip.
She is survived by her loving children; Vikki Gardner, Brian Anderson, and Wendy McNeil; five grandchildren: Mike, Theresa, Kimberly, John, and David; seven great-grandchildren: Lea, Nolan, Malcolm, Kaylee, Avaiah, Mason, and Macey; her sister Glenna Dunham; and four nieces and nephews: Terry, Tina, Tex, and Jay.
She will be greatly missed.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Wilf and I were so fortunate to be Shirley’s friend and walking companion these many years. We had many lovely walks up at Kettle Valley, along the Greenway and more recently around the H2O centre. Opal always came along, too. I really enjoyed the two Wells Gray Tour trips we took together – to North Carolina and Alberta Summer Theatre. We will miss her happy laugh and interesting stories about her travels with Don. Wilf and Bev
Meeting Shirley and her dog Opal while walking near Cottonwoods, I was struck by her liveliness, joyful spirit and energy. It was a privilege to know Shirley and to meet her daughters Vikki and Wendy and her great granddaughter Lea. She deeply loved her family and brought that spirit of love into my life. Rest In Peace, Shirley. My condolences to her family.
So sorry to just hear the sad news of Shirley’s departure from a friend in Alberta.
I know Con will welcome her also