DOBSON, SHIRLEY ANNE - Shirley Anne Dobson of Serenacare Moncton and formerly of Winter Avenue, passed away peacefully at her residence on Monday, October 14, 2013 following a lengthy illness. She was 85. Born in Dorchester, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Edwin Oulton and Jean Black (Rainnie) Oulton. Shirley grew up in Dorchester and attended Dorchester Superior School as well as Convent de Notre Dame de Sacre Coeur in St Joseph’s. She began her working career at Atlantic Wholesalers in Sackville, NB and later worked as a secretary for several Moncton law firms. Upon retirement as Executive Secretary for the New Brunswick Federation of Home & School Associations with 15 years of service, she attended Mount Allison University. Shirley was articulate, widely read and had a keen interest in genealogy and history. She did extensive research into the various roots of the family tree, especially studying early settlers of the Jolicure and Chignecto area. She also published a book “The Word and the Music: The Story of Moncton’s Central United Church and its Methodist Roots” in 1994 and gave papers relating to Methodism in Westmorland County. A highlight of this work was a presentation she made at Mount Allison for the Yorkshire 2000 gatherings. Shirley and her husband Glenn raised their four children in Moncton where they attended Central United Church for over 50 years and Shirley served on numerous committees and boards, was Sunday School Superintendent and active in the UCW. Shirley was also a life member of the Westmorland Historical Society and directly involved in such projects as the restoration of the Keillor House and Bell Inn in Dorchester as well as Moncton’s Free Meeting House. Shirley will be dearly missed by her children, Mary Balser (George) of Stoney Creek, Barbara Dobson of Bright’s Grove, ON, Brenda Wytsma (Richard) of Sault Ste. Marie, ON and Thomas F. Dobson of Moncton; as well as her eight grandchildren, James Upham (Catherine), Kate Brown, Glendon Brown, Julia Wytsma, Sarah Wytsma , Alexandra Wytsma, Rob Balser and William Balser and great granddaughter Anneke (Annie) Upham. In addition to her parents, Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Glenn Dobson (2002) and a sister, Dorothy Edgett (2009). The family is grateful to Susan Dixson and all the staff at Serenacare for their warm care and kindness over the past year, especially in Shirley’s final days, and to her previous caregivers at the Briarlea.
Interment will be in Dorchester Rural Cemetery. A Service of Remembrance will be held at Central United Church, 150 Queen Street on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 2pm with Rev. Dr. James MacDonald officiating. Reception following the service. Ferguson Knowles Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton (858-1995) in care of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, remembering Shirley through The Westmorland Historical Society, The Friends of The Moncton Hospital or the NB Heart and Stroke Foundation would be much appreciated by the family. Online condolences at www.fergusonknowlesfh.com