SHIRLEY EATON
Shirley Eaton died peacefully on Sunday, April 7, 2019, just three weeks shy of her 87th birthday.
She will be deeply missed by her loving children David (Lindsay), Doug (Emily), Catherine (Peter) and Bruce. Dear grandmother of Sarah, Paige, Andrew, Kirk, Cody, Thomas, Dylan, Isabella and Cameron and step-grandmother to Madi.
She was predeceased by her husband of 30 years, John Eaton (also known as “Fred”).
She was the only child of the late Dr. Roy Reid, DDS and Pearl Reid.
Shirley lived an active, full life. She raised four kids, often playing the role of both Mom and Dad. She wasn’t afraid to swing a hammer or fire up the lawn mower, in fact that was when she was happiest. Shirley was an avid bridge player; she didn’t play “kitchen bridge”, as she called it, she played competitive duplicate bridge; it was a huge part of her life. Jokingly, we often called her “Drive-by Grandma” because she always had something going on, some game to get to.
She loved sports, she rarely missed a Jays game on television or radio. Right to the end she was talking about watching the Masters. She was an avid golfer at Islington Golf Club until the early 1990s, a place where she spent countless hours with her friends. She was Club Champion in 1979 and cheered on her daughter Catherine to multiple Club Championships at Islington and later the Georgian Bay Club. Shirley and Catherine were the Ontario Mother and Daughter champions in 1981- a victory that topped all others in her distinguished golfing career.
Her skiing career was cut short after catching a T-bar in the head by “Lady Bryce”; at least that’s what she told us. Instead of skiing, she would often be found in the race hut at the bottom of the hill with “Annie”. Shirley would be on the microphone calling the races and Annie was the score keeper. In addition to her work with Junior racing, she was the first editor of the “Peaks Periodical”, and also a staunch supporter of the Lively Cup festivities in the 1960s and 1970s.
Bruce Beach and Kincardine were the places she loved the most. Spending summers at the cottage, tending to her gardens and visiting her many friends gave her the most joy. Most Saturday evenings during the summer she would make the trip to town with someone in tow to see the pipers march down the main street. Afterwards she would grab an ice cream from “Sniffles”, usually with a grandkid in tow.
Pine River United Church was an important part of Shirley’s life. Thank you to minister Vicki Johnson for her kindness and support. Shirley will be deeply missed by her many friends, especially Marilyn McKeeman and Lucille Fisher, who supported her right to the final bell. Thank you also to the staff at Malcolm Place for their care and support, especially nurse Mary.
There will be two celebrations honouring Shirley’s life. The first will be held at Islington Golf Club (45 Riverbank Dr., Etobicoke, Ontario M9A 5B8) from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The second will be at Bruce Beach; date and location to be announced in the summer.
If so wished, donations may be made to the Pine River United Church and can be made through the Davey-Linklater Funeral Home by calling 519-396-2701.
Portrait and memorial online at www.daveylinklaterfuneralhome.com.