February 13, 1920-January 5, 2007
Shirley Elizabeth Lansdowne, died peacefully at home January 5, 2007, attended by family. Shirley was born February 13, 1920 in Medicine Hat, Alberta and was raised in Blairmore, in the Crows Nest Pass.
She graduated from the Registered Nurse program at St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, in 1942, and began her service in the coastal village of Alert Bay. There she met, and in 1944 married, Lawrence Hillier Lansdowne, a local logger whose family had homesteaded in Kingcome Inlet. The start of a family interrupted her career until 1961. “Hilly’s” death in 1962 left Shirley to raise her six young children on her own. She progressed from general nursing staff at St. George’s Hospital to Day Supervisor, and concluded her career in Pharmacy/Stores. Co-workers and patients knew her as compassionate and caring; respecting each and all. Upon retirement, Shirley continued to support her community and her church with her volunteer activities. She treasured the visits of long time friends and especially of her grandchildren, many of whom lived away.
Shirley is lovingly remembered by her brother Robert Bannan, of Creston; her six children: Sharon, Lawrie (Vikki), Keith (Nora), Alan (Barb), Edna (Greg) and Judith, and her eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
“Having done her mission on the earth…and so returns to God.”