Dear Family,

I am sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. While it is many years since I have been back to Nova Scotia, I remember cousin Shirley with great fondness. She always greeted us with a big smile and eyes when she came to visit; a presence that was alight with congeniality.

Sincerely,

Helen (Redden) Isenor

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

With sincerest sympathy and fondest memories of my Aunt Shirley.

RIP Aunt Shirley, my condolences to the family.

Dear Paul, Donna, Beth, Cathy and Beverlee, 
Rockingham has lost their outdoor girl- Shirley Melanson.  It's both sad and quiet 2 doors up as I miss your Mother. Not that we took time for tea or anything relaxing but to always see Shirley out in the yard was a friendly connection and just expected. A wave or a yard visit was a daily routine this time of year.
I so admired your Mother for her work ethic, gumption, perfection + pride, speaking her mind and of course her talent to make anything grow in the garden. She was a standard that I respect and a privilege to learn from.
The memories, words of wisdom and Rockingham history that Shirley shared with me will stick forever.
A few include :
Stories of the Sellick Family and the names of former residents and where they all lived throughout the neighbourhood. 
That lower Tremont was referred to as Skunk Hollow and she remembered the piggery where Torrington is today.  
When I first moved to lower Tremont it was late spring and most mornings I would hear this snipping noise outside.  I soon learned it was Shirley out pruning her hedge with her hand shears almost every day. She quickly told me you need to trim a privet hedge all the time or it will get away on you. TRUE !
Shirley would visit my garden and share with me where my perennials got started  whether she started a plant and gave it to Vi or Vi gave her clippings which Shirley grew in her garden. 
She always told me I planted my peas too late and she was right and that I needed to make mint jelly in June not August. June mint would give the jelly better colour + flavour.
I have never known a garden quite like Shirley Melanson's  everything grown to perfection and would earn a 1st place ribbon at any fair.  Grapes, raspberries, strawberries and giant cucumbers to name a few and a master at growing her crops vertically to get more production out of her garden plot. 
Many times in late summer, you could count on the tangy aroma of a batch of pickles cooking at the Melanson's .  Shirley also taught me how to freeze peaches and always had a way of making everything sound so easy to do. 
Needless to say, Shirley has had an impact on me, I'm most grateful for her friendship and all her tips to making things grow bigger and better.
My sincere sympathy to you and your families and the loss of your dear Mother will run deep but know that her love and dedication was always there. 
Shirley may not have been the tallest person on the street but was a giant among us
With sympathy and fond memories,
Ruth Roussy

Dear Doris Doug and all family members,  condolences  to all, I am so saddened and remorseful that I did not visit Shirley in her last week, I really wanted her to know how much I enjoyed seeing her in church and always enjoyed our chats.  God love her.  Also very sorry we will be away attending a funeral in Cape Breton and will miss her Memorial Service.  My love and prayers go out to you. Sincerely Hazel & Ken McLeod

Very saddened to hear your mum passed away. Great  childhood memories of her.  You are all in my thoughts.

I'm very sad for you and your family, Cathy. She was an amazing Mom. She always made me feel welcome in her home and was so generous with her gifts from her garden. I loved to hear her laugh. With four girls to raise she seemed to choose laughter over the tears, that's for sure!


Dear Doug, Doris and Family,
You are a very lucky family to have had such a wonderful lady in your lives. I will miss visits from Shirley she would pop in with a handful of veggies or treats, have a tea and a chat. I am sure your Dad/Paul met her at Heaven's gates with a bag of candy.Remember the good times and smile she would want it no other way. God Bless and keep you strong,Shirley until we meet again We was Bless to have met you.

Sorry to hear about Shirley .............We used to bowl together   RIP Shirley ..You and Your Family are in my Prayers.....XO

We are so sorry to read of Shirley's passing. We send our condolences to all the family. We have many good memories of Shirley and Paul.

Dixon and Margie Smith

! really miss seeing her at bowling,as we played on the same team for yrs..such a lady..so happy I saw her at the hosp..where she left me with a smile..       Jane Coulson

I am very sorry to hear of Aunt Shirley's passing. I will always remember her warm smile. May God bless the family and give you strength in this time of sorrow.

Paul,Donna,Beth,Cathy nad Bev,also Dougie and Doris.
I'll always remember her hospitality,kindness and her goose berry pie.
My sincere condolences,love and prayers to all.Helene(Beaver Bank)

Always remember the many great times we had together as a Family

Have wonderful childhood memories of staying with Aunt Shirley and Uncle Paul.  Will be praying for you guys.  Much love.  L. D. Fawcett.

DDeepest sympathy to the family,she was such a wonderful,cheerful lady!!

To Dougie, Doris, and all the Redden/ Melanson families: condolences on the loss of your loved one, a long time pillar of the community!  Jackie Ainslie

Paul, Donna, Beth, Cathy and Beverly, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Love Heather

OBITUARY

Shirley Jean Melanson

3 September, 1931 – 12 April, 2016

JA Snow Funeral Home

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