Shirley Maguire

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Shirley Anne Maguire (nee Stephens) on Wednesday October 2, 2024 at the age of 89. Shirley was born in Edmonton, Alberta on January 5, 1935 to Hilton and Mary (nee Cory) Stephens, the eldest of 3 children. The family moved to Kingston where Shirley attended school and later trained as a nurse at KGH, graduating in 1956. She headed to Connecticut to begin her career at a Psychiatric Hospital, and in her time off met John Maguire, another Canadian working at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft. 

They married in 1958 in Kingston and moved to Montreal where Peter and Catherine were born. They moved to Ottawa in 1963 and Stephen and Sheila were born there. Once Sheila was in school full time, Shirley resumed her nursing career and was hired at CHEO when it opened in 1974 as part of the amazing NICU team. She  stayed there for 24 years. Shirley enrolled at Carleton University in 1969, taking evening classes. She resumed courses towards her BA when the University of Waterloo began offering distance learning with textbooks and lectures on cassettes. She graduated in 1987, walking the stage in Waterloo, grinning with her million watt smile. Shirley and John bought a summer resort, Arliedale Lodge in 1967 and ran it for 2 summers: 3 small kids, managing guests, cooking and cleaning and John was at U of T doing his BEd for a month each summer.  Shirley did a volunteer stint as a camp nurse at Scouts Canada Camp Opemikon with the whole family tagging along.  Too many to list, but some of her adventures include the following: A 2 month trip to South Africa including the iconic Kruger National Park and the famed wine route around Cape Town. 3 weeks in the Peruvian Andes visiting Cathy and getting altitude sickness. Visiting various friends and relatives in Whitehorse, Yukon, Peggy’s Cove, NS, Fernie and Tumbler Ridge, BC, Calgary AB for the Stampede, Dollywood, Graceland, the UK, Florida, Jamaica and 3 Habitat for Humanity Builds in El Salvador. Famous shopping trips to Watertown with Sheila for her signature running shoes.

Shirley was a member of Emmanuel United Church and her car could probably get there on its own as she spent a lot of time there. She took immense joy in watching her grandsons Steve and Chris sing in the Youth Choir. She was an avid member of the Art group, the Meditation group, and the Bell Choir. She enjoyed filling in in the office and being part of the Pastoral Care Team, as well as helping with Camp Awesome. She loved washing dishes in the kitchen with the clean up team. Shirley loved her grandsons Chris and Stephen with all her heart. Her dementia journey was not gentle and she was able to stay home for a long time because of the loving, around the clock care by Chris, Stephen and daughter Sheila. She was so lucky to have PSWs with gigantic hearts: the family thanks Larrisa and Karen for their loving care. Shirley was predeceased by her parents Hilton and Mary(nee Cory), her husband John, her brother Harry, son Peter and grandson John.  Enormous thanks to Dr. Laskey, Dr. Buckley and Dr. Miller and the nursing staff at Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital. 

After cremation, Shirley will be laid to rest at Cataraqui Centennial Cemetery in Kingston with her parents.  A date in April will be posted on this website in the new year.

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