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Shirley Elsie Herr (née Acheson) passed away peacefully at Kingston General Hospital on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023, at the age of 93 years. Shirley was born on October 1st, 1930, to Marian and J. Ross Acheson. She was raised, and educated in Oyen, Alberta. At age 9, she began taking piano lessons, leading to a lifetime of music. During high school, she achieved her grade 10 piano and theory levels (Royal Conservatory of Music – Toronto). She also taught piano during her Grade 12 year, and often played at school and church during her teenage years.
Following her Grade 12 graduation, Shirley attended, and graduated from, Garbutt Business College in Calgary with a secretarial diploma. Between 1951 and 1958, she worked for various life insurance and oil companies in Calgary. From 1958 to 1960, she lived in Vancouver, BC. working for the City of Vancouver, and the Industrial Development Bank. She felt a need for a change, so she transferred to the London, Ontario office of IDB in August 1960. She continued to work for IDB until 1966.
Shirley met George Herr in London, and they married August 2, 1963. She had two sons. Kevin arrived April 20, 1966, followed by Ian on May 14, 1968. She stayed home with her kids for 4 years, before returning to work at IDB in April 1970.
In January 1973, her husband George was transferred to eastern Ontario with his Federal Government job, so the family settled in Brockville. She worked part-time for Probation and Parole Services for a while. Starting in 1976, she went to work in the HR department at the Brockville Psychiatric Hospital, retiring in February 1994.
Shirley sang in the choir at Wall Street United Church for over 20 years. She also played piano for many services and events there during the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Following retirement, George and Shirley travelled A LOT. Canada, USA, cruises to here, there, and everywhere; Alaska, Hawaii, Panama, Bermuda, Bahamas, Costa Rica, as well as tours of Europe. When she wasn’t jet-setting or cruising across the globe, she enjoyed music, live theatre, watching curling and baseball (she was a HUGE Blue Jays fan), reading, crosswords, puzzles, and word searches, and chatting with dear friends both old and new. Her family and home were very important to her, and especially her two dear grandchildren Trevor and Charlotte. In 2013, George and Shirley moved into the Wedgewood Chartwell Retirement Residence where Shirley lived until the present. She was very popular for her piano-playing skills and gentle nature with both residents and staff alike. She enjoyed playing for the Wedgewood choir and many singalongs.
Shirley was predeceased by her father in 1933, step-father #1 Charlie Stewart in 1954 and step-father #2 Dick Gaetz in 1993. Her mother died in 1999, brother Ross Acheson died 2000, and sister-in-law Win Acheson in 2011. Her first son, Kevin, died suddenly in 2001, which was a very great shock and loss. Her husband George passed away in June 2018 after 55 years of marriage, leaving a big void in her life.
She is loved and survived by her son Ian, daughter-in-law Audrey, grandson Trevor, granddaughter Charlotte, and her “granddog” Riley in Oshawa. She is also loved and survived by her nieces Sheila (Ottawa), Janet (Waterloo), Katherine (Edmonton), and Patricia and husband Dan (Halifax). Shirley will also be greatly missed by her dear friends Betty and Helen.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at Irvine Funeral Home and Chapel, 4 James Street East, Brockville on Thursday, November 9th from 6-8 pm. A ceremony celebrating Shirley’s life will be held in the chapel on Friday, November 10th at 1 pm. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Wall Street United Church will be gratefully acknowledged.
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Thursday November 2nd 2023
Death notice for the town of: Brockville, Province: Ontario
death notice Shirley Herr Thursday November 2nd 2023
obituaries notice Shirley Herr Thursday November 2nd 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Shirley Herr Thursday November 2nd 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
