V. Shirley Horner (née Whipple) – September 17, 2021
Our beloved Mother passed away at Peterborough Regional Health Centre Palliative Care unit on September 17th after a lengthy decline, at the age of 92. Predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Alan C. Horner. Loving Mother to Dave, Brenda (Francis Meckevech), Doug, and Carol (Craig Ham). Cherished Grandma to James (Nicole Ferguson) and Andrew, and beloved Nannah to Ashley Mercer (Arthur Zielinkski), Adam Mercer (Rhiannon Smart), Olivia Scott, and Karl and Connor Ham. Adoring great grandmother to Arlo, Calvin, Maddy, Mike, and Shane. Predeceased by her brother Dave Whipple and sister Gwen McKittrick, both of Kelowna.
Shirley grew up on a fruit ranch in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, and always considered Oyama, B.C. her home. She was a teacher in various B.C. schools until she came east to marry Al in 1950. She continued teaching in Ontario until she became a mother.
She gave back to her community and was elected to serve multiple terms as Trustee on the Peterborough County Board of Education. She was a dedicated volunteer, and together with Al she was inducted into the Peterborough Walk of Fame in recognition of over 30 years of service as a member of Telecare Peterborough.
Her family was of utmost importance to her, and she passed on to each of us her love of birds, animals, insects and flowers.
She loved music, poetry, and square dancing, but she was never happier than when she was working in her flower beds. No visit to her home was complete without a tour of her spectacular gardens, and if you mentioned you would like a piece of a particular plant, she would send you home with a trunk full. She will live on in the gardens of the many people with whom she shared her plants.
“I was ever a fighter, so – one last fight more, The best and the last!”
From Prospice by Robert Browning
The family would like to express their gratitude to the paramedics, PRHC Emergency Room and Palliative Care teams who took outstanding care of Shirley and her family in her final days, as well as all the Community Care workers who made it possible for her remain in her home almost until the end. Your continuing dedication and compassion while working under pandemic protocols is recognized and appreciated.
In lieu of flowers, please consider honouring Shirley’s memory by donating, through the funeral, home to Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough, a local call center offering a non-judgmental, confidential listening ear to anyone in need.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 23 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Ashburnham Funeral Home (840 Armour Road, Peterborough). DUE TO COVID 19 REGULATIONS, REGISTRATION FOR VISITATION IS REQUIRED. A private family service will be held on Friday, September 24th at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Friends and family are invited to view Shirley’s Memorial Service. Registration and the livestream link can be found on Shirley’s obituary page through the funeral home at www.AshburnhamFuneral.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Shirley Horner Friday September 17th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Peterborough, Province: Ontario