Bell, Shirley Marie (Grant) - of Hilden, passed away January 31, 2025 peacefully at home. Our Mother was born in Patrolia, Ontario to Lillian (Lee) and Gordon Grant at the onset of the Great Depression, eldest of 13 siblings. The days of Bonnie & Clyde, Al Capone, Amelia Earhart’s ill-fated flight, onset of WW2 and terrible hardship, these were the early years of Shirley Marie Grant. By the latter part of the decade, Shirley was doing responsibilities of adults with chores at home that included looking after her younger siblings, taking them on the buckboard to town when picking up supplies and helping with their needs all before the age of 10. During this decade, basic radio was the entertainment, no autos, no phone, no TV, no indoor plumbing, no time for a child’s life.
He life in the 40’s, attack on Pearl Harbour, rations at home, end of the war, first phone at home, Ed Sullivan, cold war and fear of nuclear attack. Finishing grade 12 at 17 years old, after skipping grade 5, Shirley wished to pursue university or college but it was not in the cards. Married at 18 and onto a fulltime job at a factory with much pay going into the household to help the family, and she had her first of six children.
Onto Shirley’s 20’s during the 50’s, Vietnam, Polio vaccine, colored TV, Elvis Presley, Berlin Wall built, iconic 50’s diners, drive ins, Civil Rights movement, and for Shirl, Dave and the three boys, a move to Nova Scotia to start a whole new life. This new life distanced her from family and friends, as the cost of flights and even long-distance phone calls were not affordable. Letters were the form of keeping in touch with her family.
Now in her 30’s during the 60’s, JFK elected, Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream”, women’s rights movement, Beatles, first man in space, Space Race, assassination of Martin Luther King, JFK and Robert Kennedy. Shirl and Dave had three more children for a family of eight, and in ‘63 they purchased a home in Hilden, a home in which they both lived and passed. Our mother loved her home and kept her furniture in pristine shape. We often joked about not being allowed on the couch even though it had protective plastic. We mused about sliding off on those special occasions that we were allowed on it. The reason for this was simply that she could only dream about having a home of her own but never believed it would someday happen.
While there are far more accomplishments, this is but a small glimpse into Shirley’s life. It has been said by some that Shirley’s thoughts were old fashioned. Of course they were! She was born in the 30’s, bygone days that were hard, unrelenting and very, very different. Days that tried your very sanity and soul, days that did not see you leave home with a down payment for a house or financial assistance from family. These were days that what you received was all that could be afforded, a wave and a good luck in life on your departure.
After moving to Nova Scotia, our mom worked at Ryans IGA, Moffatts and finished her career in property at Burchell MacDougall, at the age of 82. A capable, dedicated and hard worker, Shirley continuously strived to advance herself.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, David; daughter, Debbie; son, Wesley “Larry”; grandsons, Jeremy and Stephen; sisters, Dee Dee and Bev; brothers, Wilmer, Jim, Ken, Dave and Johnny.
She is survived by sons, Ron, Hilden; Paul (Cheryl), Ontario; Steve (Lori), Hilden; daughter, Stephanie (Gary), Hilden; 9 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters, Sharon (Jack), Ontario; Brenda (Ron), Ontario; brothers, Paul (Diane), Western Canada; Frank (Julie), Ontario; Rick, Ontario; several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Anita Fisher for her visits which Mom enjoyed. Also, a special thank you to Dr. Carmen Giacomantonio for the kindness and compassion show to Mom
Cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held at a later date.
Donations may be made to a charity of choice.
“Mom, we will love you forever and miss you always”
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