LYNCH, SHIRLEY M. (1921- 2009) - Shirley M. Lynch, wife of Gordon Lynch of Miramichi, passed away peacefully at the Miramichi Regional Hospital on Saturday morning, February 21st at the age of 88. Born February 7th, 1921 in Chatham NB, she was the daughter of Leeira (Lee) and Nellie (MacDonald) Gilliss. Shirley graduated from St Michael's Academy as valedictorian in 1938. She then attended Provincial Normal School (Teachers' College) in Fredericton. Following her graduation, she taught for a number of years in Enniskillen, Salisbury and Loggieville and was also principal of the Loggieville School. Shirley was very pleased to have taken part in two recent reunions in Loggieville and to have had the honour of ringing the bell on both occasions to call former students back to the site of their school. As her children grew up, Shirley returned to teaching in Chatham for a number of years, doing both long and short term supply teaching. Shirley attended St Michael's Basilica in Miramichi. She was a member of the Catholic Women's League, the Ladies Auxiliary Santa Maria, the Saint Michael's Senior Choir, the Miramichi Area Retired Teachers' Association (MARTA), the NB Right to Life Association, and the Friendly Neighbour Seniors' Club (Nelson). She was a former member of the Board of Directors of the Beaubear Co-Op. Shirley was an avid bridge player and served for many years as Co-Convenor of the St Michael's CWL Bridge Marathon. Shirley was dearly cherished and will be sadly missed by her husband of over 59 years, Gordon Lynch; her children Don Lynch of St Margarets, Pauline Lynch of Rothesay, Patricia (Paul) Broemeling of Nerepis, and Lee (Debbie) Lynch of Edmonton AB; her sister Lenore Masterson of Miramichi; sisters-in-law Marjorie Gilliss of Miramichi and Geraldine Gilliss of Ottawa; eight grandchildren, Stephane Lynch, Colin Lynch, Kyle Lynch, Ryan Lynch, Rebekah Lynch, Christopher Broemeling, Colin Broemeling and Tara Broemeling; five great grandchildren, Felix, Alexandre, Marianne, Tatyana and Nathaniel Lynch; many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Shirley was predeceased by a sister Joan Gilliss, and by her brothers Merle Gilliss and his wife Isabel, Burt Gilliss, and Ken Gilliss and his first wife Kay. Shirley is resting at Maher's Funeral Home, 35 University Ave, Miramichi NB with visitation on Wednesday from 7 PM to 9 PM, and Thursday from 2 PM to 4 PM and 7 PM to 9 PM. Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, February 27th at 11 AM at St Michael's Basilica in Miramichi with Fr. John Fraser as celebrant. Interment will be in the parish cemetery in the spring. Those wishing to make a donation in Shirley's memory may do so to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick, or to the charity of their choice. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Maher's Funeral Home, Miramichi, NB Telephone 774-4321.