Shirley Monica Clarke

CLARKE, Shirley Monica - Age 89, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2020 in Dartmouth due to complications from pneumonia. Born in Pleasant Harbour, Halifax Co., N.S., Mom was the daughter of the late Harry and Mae (Daye) Webb. As a tiny newborn, Mom was held in a warm oven to breathe life in her body - an incubator today! Mom was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who enjoyed the tranquility of walks on a daily basis. Graduating from St. Patrick's Girl's High School (Brunswick St., Halifax) in 1950 and Miss Murphy's Business College in 1953, Mom considered it an honour to live in Saint Theresa's Retreat where the Sisters of Charity guided her in becoming a lady of poise and grace. She had a deep appreciation for books, whether it was to enjoy a good novel or to expand her knowledge of the world. Mom believed in education and continued in this field researching and writing short stories for her own pleasure. She also enjoyed bowling, embroidery, cross-stitching, spending time with family and a glass of white wine! Mom was predeceased by her first husband, Wilfred (Buster) Clarke, (1975), the father of her surviving sons, Donald, Paul (Debbie) and Ernest, all of Dartmouth and her daughters Dorothy (Dan) Gibson, Dartmouth, Leanne (Patrick) Theriault, Fall River and Marilyn (Denis) Tremblay, Ontario, along with 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Mom is also predeceased by her second husband, Arthur Clarke (2011), the father of her surviving extended family, Veronica (Lyle) Brown, Fall River, Coline (George) Damczyk, Fall River, and Doreen (Pat) Elwood, Dartmouth along with his nine grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren and his deceased sons Bernard and Allan. Mom was predeceased by her brothers Carl, William, Stanley and her sister Mary. She is survived by her brother, Harold Webb, Pleasant Harbour and sister, Anna Currie, Cole Harbour. A funeral mass will be held at St. Peter's Church, Dartmouth, with burial to follow at Dartmouth Memorial Gardens at a later date due to Covid-19 restrictions. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetic Association, The Nova Scotia Lung Association, or a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank Laurel and her staff for their excellent care of Mom during the past 18 months. Online condolences may be sent to: www.mattatallfuneralhome.com