In Memoriam: Shirley McGowan

July 13, 1945 - November 19, 2021

Mother. Grandmother. Friend. Knitter. Avon Lady. Busy Bee.

We lost one of the good ones last week.

Whether you were a “Church” person or “Mission” person, everybody at SouthWest knew Shirley McGowan. Whatever we had going on, Shirley was there, never drawing attention to herself but always helping get things done. She was an old-school church volunteer, ready to roll up her sleeves and wash some dishes, knit a pair of mittens, sort through donations, sell some tickets and even, when called upon, dress up as an elf.

Like a few others we still have around, the McGowans were a Verdun United family from way back. They brought that pitching-in-and-helping spirit with them when they came to SouthWest. Shirley and her mother Isabella were active in the UCW, and then in the core group of ladies that took on meals and event preparation at the Mission. They were dubbed the Busy Bees, or just BB’s.

Shirley cared about the kids, not just her own grandkids but all the kids. That’s why she worked so tirelessly at the Mission: she wanted all the kids to have enough to eat, she wanted all the kids to have a present at Christmas. And she didn’t just sit around wanting it, she got busy and helped make it happen.

I know it was hard for Shirley these last couple of years not being able to join with her church community, to sing hymns, to share coffee and cookies. Such simple pleasures that maybe before the pandemic we took for granted, but no more. I mailed her the Friday newsletter every week hoping that by that small gesture she would know we still considered her part of our family. A couple of times I delivered it by hand and we would stand on her porch and have a chat. I know she liked seeing pictures of SouthWest people, most recently when we posed in our orange shirts at the end of September.

Shirley was a truly generous soul. We will miss her very much.

We will celebrate Shirley’s life this Saturday, November 27th. Visitation begins at 1pm, service at 3p.m. at SouthWest United Church.

This picture was taken (by Rev. David, I believe) at the final UCW Montreal Presbyterial held at SouthWest in 2016. Look at the impish expressions on these three (Phyllis Luther, Shirley, and Lil Jones). Wouldn’t you love to know what they’re talking about?

Shirley (center) proudly wearing her BB’s T-shirt. She loved singing hymns.

Shirley McGowan, far right, with a bunch of other good sports at one of our Children’s Christmas parties at the Mission.