SHIRLEY CLARIBEL HEDLEY (WEBSTER)

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SHIRLEY CLARIBEL HEDLEY
(nee WEBSTER)
March 1922 - May 2020

Shirley Hedley passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 30, 2020.
She is survived by her son Jim Hedley, daughter-in-law Wendy Hedley, granddaughter Cara Hedley, Cara's partner Jay Cassels and great-granddaughter Iris Hedley; granddaughter Anne Hedley, Anne's husband Preston Mandamin, great-grandson William Mandamin and great-granddaughter Sadie Mandamin; daughter Pat Finkbeiner, son-in-law Doug Finkbeiner, grandsons: John Finkbeiner, John's wife Lynsay Perkins and great-grandsons, Kaelan Woollard, Alder Finkbeiner and Ahren Finkbeiner; grandson James Finkbeiner, and granddaughters, Kaiya Hedley and Tawnee Hedley. Many, many more mourn her passing including nieces and nephews, former in-laws and friends.
Shirley was predeceased by her beloved husband Don in 1990, son Doug in 2003, and grandson Michael in 2013.
Shirley was the last of the Oldcastle Websters: parents, Glen and Irene Webster, sisters, Mary and Glenna, and brothers, Max, Neil and Garnet. Shirley was born on March 16, 1922 in the small farming community of Oldcastle, outside of Windsor, Ontario. Hers was a very close-knit family. The rural life obviously served the Websters well. They went to a one-room school (Shirley often aboard roller skates), attended a tiny church where her mother played the organ and eventually attended high school in Essex, Ontario. Brother Max and his horses aside, the Webster children eventually all left the farm behind, having learned life lessons not available elsewhere.
Shirley graduated high school and eventually took employment in what would now be known as the H.R. Department of Ford Motor Company in Windsor. Don, who was born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, had gone to Queen's University post-war and was recruited out of Queen's to work at Ford. They married in 1949 and prepared to settle in Windsor. The family, with the additions of Jim, Pat and Doug all born in Windsor, moved with Ford to Oakville, Ontario in 1956. While in Oakville, Don made a move to CN Rail. They soon moved to Montreal, Quebec, then to Winnipeg in 1963 which Shirley and Don made their final and favourite home.
After Don died, it became obvious to everyone who knew her that Shirley was not going to require any external support during her widowhood. She had no problem occupying herself with her grandchildren along with regular, and unbelievably lengthy, walks through her neighbourhood, bowling in a league up on Academy Road, some gardening, activities with the IODE and general love-of-life.
She gave things up when she - and she alone - deemed it time. So, she stopped bowling at about 90, driving at about 93 and her long walks well into her 90s. She would walk from St. James to River Heights for Sunday dinners with Pat and Doug. Eventually she allowed herself to be chauffeured by Doug or James.
She decided to give up the house on Queenston in 1997 and moved to Colorado Estates, in St. James, where she lived independently in her apartment until her passing. At Colorado Estates she forged countless close friendships and took part in frequent social activities. She looked forward to Happy Hours with her Saturday evening ladies and, of course, her Wednesday wines with Jim and Wendy. Shirley truly felt at home there and so often expressed her appreciation for the warm and friendly manner in which she was treated, particularly as she became one of the more senior of the residents. Thanks to all of you from Shirley.
Shirley was an attractive and stylish woman who took pride in her appearance, clothing and manner. The essence of Shirley Hedley, though, was an unshakeable perception of right versus wrong, honesty and integrity. She tried to pass these moral qualities along as best she could. Her life exemplified them.
This, in combination with her warmth, sense of humour, and caring nature, made her admired and beloved by many, but most of all by Jim, Pat and Doug and her grandchildren with all of whom she shared a very close bond. Her great-grandchildren brought her particular joy in recent years. Through her example, they have learned these secrets to a long and fulfilling life: not only to walk every day but also to nurture your friendships, hold your family close and never miss an opportunity for laughter. And they count themselves lucky for the opportunity to have walked and laughed along beside her.
As knowledge of Shirley's death has spread (so rapidly these days) kind and heartfelt words have been directed to her family - from "favourite Aunt" to "dear friend" to "great lady". But of this there can be no doubt: what Shirley would most want to hear is "a life well-lived and a great Mom and Grandma". Truer words were never spoken. Love from us all.

For those who wish to sign the online
Guest Book please visit www.chapellawn.ca

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home
204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 06, 2020