Shirley May Fowler (Dow) passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 6th 2024 at the young age of 99years and 10 months.
With a century on this earth, the “Yankee”, originally from Vermont, leaves behind an entire village of people and plenty of arts and crafts treasures that she lovingly handmade. Shirley outlived the love of her life; Neil, her three sisters and her friends of yesteryear.
As a young woman, Shirley had Scarlett fever and survived but her sister didn’t so thus came the name sake of her daughter, Barbara (William), who, when she passed too soon, was the only time we had ever seen Shirley cry.
In the latter few months, Shirley took to shouting like a game show host, although not always appreciated by all, to her son it was an honour by her sudden recollection of him when he visited and was greeted with a joyful “Norman” (Gail).
Edwin (Georgina) who sat with Shirley in her final moments had the privilege of having his mom at every birthday, holiday and Sunday afternoon for the past 7 decades and continues to carry on her tradition of cooking baked beans and homemade bread.
Her redheaded, lanky and lively grandchildren hold memories of homemade butter, the now popular “work from home day wear” of jogging pants and a blouse style she wore, rainy days spent under a quilt Shirley was stitching, and endless lessons about life. Andrew (Angela), Amber (Marty), Shawn (MP), Travis (Holly), Rose (Chris) will mourn their Grandmother with love.
Shirley’s great-grandchildren who have been blessed with the Dow esthetic of either bushy eyebrows or luscious lips have enjoyed their silver haired matriarch whose reply to most comments would be a clearing of the throat, a three symbol giggle and a nose whip from a Kleenex that would magically appear from her sleeve.
Aunt “Shirl”, known by so many of her family and neighbours, spent years giving back to her community and was heavily involved in the Woman’s Institute, chopping and bedazzling a new scrapbooking page to commemorate any life milestone of her family and simply for being a workhorse expected of her generation will be missed by anyone who knew her.
A heartfelt Thank You is extended to the staff at the Wales Home who took such great care of Shirley, so much so that we never worried about her because you all had treated her like your family member. The time to celebrate your loved one is every day, not just when they’ve died and moved onto better prospects. I’m sure we can all picture Shirley playing cards and gabbing away with a small glass of white wine ready for an open ear to give advice or a scolding if you deserved it.
Interment at the Melbourne Ridge Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 14th. Refreshments to follow at Ed Fowler's
When I arrived to your family home on the 17th of December1974, your mother was Mrs. Fowler, on Christmas eve, when you asked me to marry you, she become Shirley. In May when we married, she became mom. She was mom for 49years. What a wonderful woman, mother and friend she was, love much Georgina
My deepest sympathies to you and the family.
My sincere condolences to the family.
We’re so sorry to hear of the passing of your grandma Amber - I’d laugh so much at all the stories you’d share after visiting her. She sounded like a beautiful remarkable soul.
May she rest in peace and may all the moments shared remain in your hearts until you all shall meet again.
Sorry we never took you up on your offer to take us to your family home by the description of your mom and family ,we sure missed out on a wonderful experience. Quilts and homemade bread sounds like warmth and love. She lives on in you and your family Norman you have her love for the important things in life !
