Obituary of Shirley Helen Pettigrew

PETTIGREW,Shirley - Born April 3rd, 1929 to John (Jack) and Florence Matthews, Shirley was the ninth of ten children in the family and grew up in a small house on McClure Ave in Brantford. Shirley would share stories of growing up summer camping at Whitman’s creek and of course the having spirited debates with her brothers that no doubt inspired future political careers in the family. Shirley graduated from the Brantford General Hospital’s Nurses’ training in 1950 which led her on adventures working in western Canada and to Australia. She said many times that she has lived a fortunate life blessed with a gem of a husband, Howard Pettigrew with whom she shared many years of marriage and in retirement great trips to Florida; a loving family, Anne (Pettigrew) Groen (Dave) and Mark Pettigrew (Diane) who shared countless bouts of laughter and meals around the dinner table; special grandma to Benjamin and Cameron, Iley to Rachel. All so fortunate to have had such a strong role model in their Grandma. When they were young, Shirley and her sister Barb shared a bed growing up and then came around full circle to be neighbours at Tranquility place. Barb hosts the Saturday Coffee club gang and Shirley often would say that she doesn’t know what she would do without her friends as she cherished their love and support. Shirley knit us countless sweaters and afghans to keep us warm, created many watercolour paintings to decorate our homes and played a mean game of euchre to show us how the game is won. She taught us many lessons: stand up for yourself, travel well and love your friends and family. Our lives are better because of her love. As per her request, cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been arranged with Beckett-Glaves Family Funeral Centre, 88 Brant Ave., Brantford, 519-752-4331. In lieu of flowers donations to the Brantford General Hospital or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. A tree will be planted in memory of Shirley in the Beckett- Glaves Memorial Forest.