Geddes, Shirley Doris – 88, Middle Stewiacke, passed away on June 2, 2011 at Vimy Court, Bible Hill. She was the youngest daughter of the late Sidney and Jane (McCulloch) Fleck, and is survived by sons, Laurie (Susan), Annapolis Royal; Conn (Kerry); daughter, Dianne, both of Middle Stewiacke; grandchildren, Jason Geddes, David Botting and Lisa Geddes; five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Clinton; sons, Ross, Ronald; infant daughter, Jane Carr; sisters, Greta Luther, Vera MacLaughlin; brothers, Ronald, Gordon and Carl. During the war, Shirley worked as a waitress at the Bearcat Service Station in Truro. She graduated from Success Business College and worked as a secretary at Fry Cadburys, Truro. Following the birth of her children, Shirley became an office worker at Stanfield’s and then at Nova Headwear. She joined Royal and Sun Alliance Group in the 1970s, studied insurance underwriting and became a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of Canada in 1977. She moved to the London, Ont. office in 1978 as an assistant superintendent and subsequently to their head office in Toronto until choosing to retire in 1984 to care for her sister, Greta. She returned to N.S. in 1985 and established Bidia Bed and Breakfast in 1987. She welcomed guests from as far away as China, and many visitors returned annually to renew their friendships with this amazing woman who welcomed them so warmly and treated them so well. Shirley was a woman with diverse interests who loved to travel, parasailing in Mexico in her 70s as one of her many adventures. She was a Reiki Master and a charter member of AURA, a member of the Stewiacke Valley Historical Society and of Middle Stewiacke United Church. She painted in oils, acrylics and watercolour, and in later years, took up rug hooking. An avid gardener for much of her life, at any time in the summer she could be seen tending her flowers and vegetables and generally rearranging earth with her trusty wheelbarrow. Shirley had an abiding belief in the interconnectedness of all things in the universe, and had a gracious and generous heart for those who touched her life. We were blessed indeed to have her as a mother, and are forever grateful to the loving and competent individuals who cared for her at home and then at Vimy Court. Her family doctor, Rosemarie Taylor, Dr. Chris McKnight (Memory Clinic), the VON, Palliative Care, and Dr. T. Locke were key members of this team.

Cremation has taken place. No visitation by request. A celebration of her life will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in Middle Stewiacke United Church, Rev. Larry Harrison officiating. A reception will follow downstairs in the church. Private family interment will be held in Middle Stewiacke Cemetery. Family flowers only. Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to the Stewiacke Valley Historical Society (c/o Mary B. Tyler, 218 Carter Road, Brookfield, NS, B0N 1C0), Middle Stewiacke Church Elevator Fund (c/o Cathy Dickey, 4117 Highway 289, RR3 Brookfield, NS, B0N 1C0), Middle Stewiacke Cemetery Corporation (Box 157, Brookfield, NS, B0N 1C0), or a charity of choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, Upper Musquodoboit.