Shirley McKenzie

It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce that Shirley Joyce McKenzie passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to all. Shirley was born in Sangre Grande, Trinidad West Indies on January 31, 1938. She was the third child born to Cecil and Muriel McKenzie. She spent her childhood along with her three sisters and brother growing up on the beautiful beaches of Trinidad. Before arriving in Canada, Shirley was a teacher in the countryside of Trinidad, where she taught kindergarten.

She came to Canada in 1967 on a student exchange program and attended Lakehead University Teachers’ College, where she received her Bachelor of Education. Shirley was employed by the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board for 25 years and in that time, she taught at both St. Ann and St. Vincent schools.

The Catholic faith was a pillar in Shirley’s life, she served the Lord and her community to her very last days. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Dominic's Church. Which is where she became a member of a Catholic Women's League and church choir. She was a humble servant to the community and to those that were less fortunate. She cherished the ladies in her circle, and together they fulfilled God's work and put faith into action through bake sales, various teas, and multiple charities.

In her spare time Shirley enjoyed traveling the world on cruises, bus tours and many pilgrimages to visit churches and cathedrals all over Europe and the United Kingdom. Her other hobbies included gardening, playing cards, and crosswords.

Shirley’s greatest blessing was her family, she was always planning the next get together. Whether it be Easter, Christmas, or someone's birthday, it was important to Shirley to celebrate each occasion.

She will be reunited in the heavenly Kingdom with her parents Cecil and Muriel, her three sisters Norma, Barabra, and Patsy. Shirley will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her only brother Kerwin, her daughters Brenda and Neelam, her granddaughters Michelle, Nicole, Tori (Forch), Kimi- Ko, Jasmine, and Jessy, as well as her great grandchildren Tevin, Nicholas (Cassidy), Alexus, Joseph, Luciana, Tahlia, Hayden, Dolliah, and Harlow and lastly her great-great granddaughter Etta.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pioneer Ridge for the exceptional care of our mother and grandmother.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday November 3rd, 2023, at 11:00 am. at St. Dominic’s R.C. Church. Interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers and cards, donations to the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.