Shirley Anne Hollingworth

HOLLINGWORTH, Shirley Anne

Shirley passed away peacefully on October 9, 2024 at age 82. She joins her husband of 60 years, Gordon, who passed away in September.

Shirley leaves behind her three sons Kevin, Brian (Kitrina) and Steve (Amanda), and her five grandchildren, James, Leanne, Ethan, Declan and Sophie. She was the sister of Donna Dawson (Donnie, deceased), Glenna Cameron (Don) and John Hardy (deceased), and daughter of the late Lance and Martha Hardy.

In addition to her devotion to family and friends, Shirley’s passions were teaching, volunteering and gardening. She began her teaching career in 1961 at the age of 19 at Bracebridge Public School having skipped a grade and completed the requisite one year of Teachers College in North Bay. Her teaching career spanned over four decades and she was especially proud of having taught three generations of several families over this time! She filled her retirement with volunteer work, including but not limited to delivering Meals on Wheels, working the desk for the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, fundraising for numerous causes such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and serving the Bracebridge United Church in many different ways.

Shirley grew up on a dairy farm in Bracebridge, and her desire to derive enjoyment from the land continued throughout her life. From spring through fall, life revolved around cultivating, planting, weeding, picking and preserving fruits and vegetables which would feed the family through the winter. Rarely was there a need to buy vegetables from the grocery store. There was also an endless supply of baked treats that were offered to anyone who showed up at the door, and few could turn them down.

In later years, Shirley and Gordon enjoyed summer camping trips. Even as her health deteriorated due to dementia, she and Gordon managed to get their trailer out and enjoy the company of good friends.

Shirley will be laid to rest in a private family burial, and a celebration of Shirley’s life with close friends and family will be held at a later date.

Donations in Shirley’s name can be made to the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital Foundation or Alzheimer Society of Muskoka.