Mrs. Shirley Elaine Flynn (nee Lank) died unexpectedly at home on the evening of Friday, January 8, 2010.
Shirley was born in 1933 in Truro, Nova Scotia. The family soon moved to New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. The eldest of 8 children, she was looked up to by her siblings as the "go to" person in the family home. She met her husband to be while working in a photography studio in 1960. Married in 1961, the couple moved according to the requirements of her husband's job assignments, throughout the Maritimes and Toronto over the next 16 years. In 1977 they were transferred to Thunder Bay, where they settled finally, after moving their household 17 times.
Not blessed with children, but with a strong love of animals great and small, dogs, birds, and fish became substitutes. Charitable animal organizations received a steady flow of income from Shirley.
She became a supporter of the Heart & Stroke Foundation as well, as many of her siblings were afflicted with heart disease.
She was lovely, kind, loyal, supportive, and loved by everyone she met. She left us too soon!
Shirley is survived by her husband of almost 49 years, Terry and "Riley" who are left to go on without her. Also surviving are brothers: Mike (Sondra), Jack (Grace) and Dave (Ann) together with a large extended family of in-laws, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, Elmer and Louise Lank, brothers Bill, Bob, Jim and beloved sister, Sandra.
As per Shirley's wishes there will be no formal service following the cremation. Friends are welcome however, to drop by the house for a visit. Those wishing to honour her memory in a more tangible way are invited to send a donation to either of her "causes" The Thunder Bay and District Humane Society (or your local chapter), the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley St. Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5Z7 in care of arrangements.
A special note of thanks to the kind medical staff who work in Emergency at the TBRHSC.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com