Shirley Bagdon

It is with heavy hearts the family of Shirley Bagdon announce her peaceful passing in the Wilkes Terrace Long Term Care facility (Terrace Bay) on Sunday, July 3, 2022.

Shirley was born on March 14th, 1933 in Port Arthur Ontario. She met Tom Bagdon, the love of her life in 1949 and they were married in 1952. Within three years, they had welcomed two sons into their family. While mostly being a “stay at home” Mom in those early years, Shirley did work as a cashier at the local Bourke’s Drug Store.

In 1962, she and Tom packed up their family and moved to White River where they began their new adventure together as business entrepreneurs. Throughout the next five decades they worked together in an Esso franchise, restaurant (A&W) and gift shop/convenience store. As an employer, she hired many young students who were working their way through high school, college or university, and many of these employees remained lifelong friends.

Shirley was very active in the community, volunteering and sitting on various committees, dedicating her spare time to community service. Included in these were the Curling Club, St. Basil’s Church, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 169, the Senior’s Harmony Club and the White River Historical Society/Museum. For all of her community service, Shirley was selected as a recipient of the Commemorative Medal on the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation.
When Shirley was not working or volunteering, she enjoyed her time at her home at Picnic Lake, looking after her garden, viewing the birds at the bird feeders as well as on the lake with her binoculars. She also enjoyed travelling, playing the slots, and spending time with her family and friends. She loved participating in the Winnie the Pooh Annual Hometown Festival and she possessed a rather LARGE collection of Winnie and Friends memorabilia. As Shirley and Tom’s health started to decline, they moved to Thunder Bay and spent their last few years together there, back where they first met.

Shirley is survived by her son Bob; her daughters-in-law Billie and Kathy Antier; and her sister-in-law Irene Bagdon. She will be lovingly remembered by her grandsons Marshall (Hope), Dale (Alysha), Neil, Cory and granddaughter Tori Antier; great grandchildren Mackenzie, Brooklyn, Jim, Jaiden and Kaiya; nieces Joanne, Gayle, Karen and Kerri and nephews Rick and Barry.

She was predeceased by her husband Tom, her son Frank, her sisters Pat and Judy, her brothers-in-law Dave, Bob, George, and Alfred; sister-in-law Irene; and nephews Gerry, Robert and Glen.

Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service for Shirley will be held on Monday, July 18th, 2022 at 11:30 am in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, with Pastor Bill Morgan officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations to Wilkes Terrace Long Term Care in Terrace Bay would be appreciated.