Shirley Joyce (Simm) MacDonald

Shirley Joyce MacDonald

64, Florence

 

It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Shirley Joyce MacDonald,

our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at the

MacGillivray Guest Home in Sydney, where she resided for a brief time.

 

Born in Sydney Mines on October 19, 1956, Shirley was the daughter of the late Darwin and

Louise (MacDonald) Simm. Shirley grew up in Florence, where she eventually raised her own

family. When her children were young, Shirley studied hairdressing. She enjoyed bowling,

crocheting, going to dances, and she was a talented poet. Shirley had a heart of gold. She would

do anything for her loved ones and she showed complete devotion to her own mother, to

whom she provided care and companionship for many years.

 

Shirley is survived by her husband Pat and her daughter Rhonda (Jason), Florence, Shirley’s

constant source of strength and support. She leaves behind her two sons R.P. (Colleen), and

Mark (Samantha), both of Calgary, her two beautiful grandchildren Cailin and Benjamin, whom

she adored and looked forward to seeing every summer, and her faithful companion, her dog

Grace.

 

Shirley is also survived by her brother Eric (Sylvia) Simm, her two sisters Dawn (Brian) Greene,

Wendy (John) O’Connor, her brothers-in-law Colin (Jane) MacDonald, Sandy (Linda)

MacDonald, Blair (Romaine) MacDonald, sisters-in-law Amelia (Dougie) Chisholm, Lucy (Kevin)

Miller, Paula, Paulette, and Sheri MacDonald. Shirley is survived by many nieces and nephews

who will always cherish the memories of their kind, fun-loving Aunt Shirley.

 

Besides her parents, Shirley was predeceased by her son Randy in infancy, one brother Earl

Simm, one sister Darlene in infancy, her sister-in-law, Dale (Rick) Simm, and her brothers-in-law

Doug (Donna) MacDonald, and David (Deborah) MacDonald, and her mother-in-law and father

in law, Pearl and Raymond MacDonald.

 

In keeping with Shirley’s wishes, there will be no visitation. A funeral service for Shirley will be

held at a later date under the direction of W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or Renal

Association of Nova Scotia. Online condolences can be sent to the family at

www.wjdooley.com. We leave you with a poem that was written by Shirley:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Perfect Place

By Shirley MacDonald, 1986

 

Where do you find the perfect place

Where smiles and laughter fill the air

Where families gather, everyone

Do you care? Please tell me where.

Whatever happened to the days gone by

When families always cared

No matter what the other had

It was always shared

Do you care? Please tell me where

Yes, I care, and I’ll tell you where.

Just where, the perfect place shall be.

Please don’t worry - for you see,

It’s locked up, safe, in your memory.

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