Singer, Shelley – It is with deep sadness, but a profound feeling of peace, that we announce that Shelley Ardith Singer passed away peacefully in Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro on Monday, January 1st, 2024, surrounded by family.
Born in Truro in 1953, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Blanche (Woodworth) Taylor, of Stewiacke.
Shelley was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She is survived by her devoted husband, Irvine, to whom she was married for over 50 years. She was the most loving mother to Andrew (Anna) of Shubenacadie; Nicole (Adam) of Antigonish; and absolutely beloved Grammie to Maddison, Christopher, Matthew, Emma, and Cameron. She is also survived by her brother, Stephen (Anita); and her two “twisted” sisters and lifelong best friends, Vicki Taylor and Shawn Smith; as well as several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews, all of whom she was devoted to.
She is predeceased by her brother, Bob (Earline).
Shelley was a kind, gentle, and fun-loving person who was loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She had her priorities in life all figured out – people came first. She loved nothing more than having her grandchildren around her. They were her pride and joy and she would drop everything when they came through the door, plying them with (inevitably burnt) toast, her delicious pies, and everlasting, unconditional, nonjudgmental love. And the feeling was fully reciprocated, with Grammie being their absolute favourite for each of them.
Shelley had the gift of hospitality. She loved hosting family dinners and would prepare delicious meals, always making sure that everyone got their favourite desserts – even if it meant cooking seven different pies. Whenever someone arrived at the house, she made everyone feel welcome and comfortable and always offered a tea as you sat to chat. Many people felt that Shelley was a “second mom” to them over the years with her generous heart and spirit.
She never missed a summer at the cottage on Shortt’s Lake, where countless fun and happy memories were made over the decades with her immediate and extended family. In years past she could often be seen out on the raft in the middle of the night, playing cards and getting up to silly mischief with her sisters and her close friends. Her grandchildren loved adventures with her at the lake, setting sail in the red rowboat, SS Shelley to “The Witches Finger” or to collect water lilies from the cove.
She also loved playing darts and played at the provincial level for many years. If she hadn’t been so good at darts, we would have wondered if she played just to have fun weekly laughs with friends and adventurous weekends away with the ladies. From a family of avid card players, Shelley loved a laugh over a game of cards with family and friends. The laughter and banter over games of Big Bertha and Yahtzee were always matched with snacks and drinks late into the night. She also loved and was always up for board games of any kind, and one of her most characteristic things was sitting at the kitchen table mulling over the big New York crosswords in the paper on a Saturday morning. She always enjoyed attending sporting events, whether it was to watch Irv in their early years together, Andrew throughout his childhood, or the grandkids in more recent years.
Family lived afar over the years and there was a great countdown for the arrival of loved ones for a visit home. Trips to the lake, Peggy’s Cove, and endless visits in her kitchen made her heart full until the next reunion with loved ones. She was at the airport for arrivals and departures, crying her heart out on every encounter.
She loved Christmas and took such pride in decorating her tree, in fact no one could put the lights on the tree with as much fussing and care as Mom. She went above and beyond to make sure everyone was thought of when gifting. Christmas morning was always cheerful and excited chaos, particularly once the grandchildren arrived on the scene. She would often be left with all her gifts still unopened, as she’d been so caught up in the joy of watching others open their presents.
Shelley loved nature. In the summertime she always had flowers in her garden, ate lots of fresh veggies from Irv’s veggie garden, and loved just quietly enjoying birds, sunsets, the beach, the lake, and the river. And she absolutely loved animals of all kinds and generously donated to local animal charities over the years. She adored her family pets and the pets of extended family too.
Shelley worked for most of her adult life at Taylor’s Transfer, Thompson’s, and finally Armour Transport in Truro, where she loved to tease and be teased by “her” drivers. She enjoyed and took pride in her work and considered her colleagues there her second family, as they did her.
By request there will be no service at this time. A private family interment will be held in the Spring of 2024. The family extends gratitude to the palliative care team at CEHHC. Donations may be made to Colchester East Hants Hospice Society or to a charity of your choice. Shelley was such a generous person and would be happy knowing that any worthwhile cause was being supported or that a gesture of kindness was done in her memory.
Rest in peace, Shelley, Mom, Grammie. We miss you so much and you will forever be in our hearts.
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