Obituary for Shirley Anne McBride
MCBRIDE, Shirley Anne - It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Shirley Anne McBride (née Marcell) on January 25, 2021, at the age of 73.
Shirley is predeceased by her father Lawrence and survived by her mother Margaret; her husband of 52 years and the love of her life, Michael; siblings Dale Marcell (Donna); Linda Jones (Darcy); Barbara Tops (Wim); her children, Jason (Liz) and Marci; her beloved grandchildren, Abigail, Emily, and Jack. She doted on the various pets that she acquired over her life—cats, dogs, and, especially, birds, including her dear Rosey Bourke, Rosie.
Born in New Westminster, British Columbia, Shirley spent most of her childhood in B.C. After marrying Mike and starting a family, she embarked on decades of international travel—Mike’s work took them across North America and then to Singapore and Japan. Shirley embraced every adventure, and in each new place, created a loving and beautiful home. In each new place, she developed and cultivated her passions for art and antiques, for home decor, for gardening, for cooking and baking, for current events, but especially for people. In each new place, she forged friendships that lasted the rest of her life. Shirley’s generosity and devotion to others—her family, of course, but also friends, neighbours and complete strangers—were endless. After Marci had Abby, her first daughter, Shirley became, in effect, a mother again, and helped Marci raise her.
In the last decades of her life, at a time when most other people start to slow down, Shirley only sped up. She and Mike settled in Victoria,. B.C., where they opened New England Square, a store specializing in heritage American furniture. A few years later, they relocated again, to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, where, over the course of a decade, they turned the Merlot House Bed and Breakfast into one of the town’s most cherished B&Bs. Shirley formed a personal connection with every single guest, making her home their home no matter the length of their stay. Her blueberry scones, lush, ever-evolving gardens, and warm hospitality, brought people back year after year.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to MORGAN FUNERAL HOME, 415 Regent Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com
Shirley is predeceased by her father Lawrence and survived by her mother Margaret; her husband of 52 years and the love of her life, Michael; siblings Dale Marcell (Donna); Linda Jones (Darcy); Barbara Tops (Wim); her children, Jason (Liz) and Marci; her beloved grandchildren, Abigail, Emily, and Jack. She doted on the various pets that she acquired over her life—cats, dogs, and, especially, birds, including her dear Rosey Bourke, Rosie.
Born in New Westminster, British Columbia, Shirley spent most of her childhood in B.C. After marrying Mike and starting a family, she embarked on decades of international travel—Mike’s work took them across North America and then to Singapore and Japan. Shirley embraced every adventure, and in each new place, created a loving and beautiful home. In each new place, she developed and cultivated her passions for art and antiques, for home decor, for gardening, for cooking and baking, for current events, but especially for people. In each new place, she forged friendships that lasted the rest of her life. Shirley’s generosity and devotion to others—her family, of course, but also friends, neighbours and complete strangers—were endless. After Marci had Abby, her first daughter, Shirley became, in effect, a mother again, and helped Marci raise her.
In the last decades of her life, at a time when most other people start to slow down, Shirley only sped up. She and Mike settled in Victoria,. B.C., where they opened New England Square, a store specializing in heritage American furniture. A few years later, they relocated again, to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, where, over the course of a decade, they turned the Merlot House Bed and Breakfast into one of the town’s most cherished B&Bs. Shirley formed a personal connection with every single guest, making her home their home no matter the length of their stay. Her blueberry scones, lush, ever-evolving gardens, and warm hospitality, brought people back year after year.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to MORGAN FUNERAL HOME, 415 Regent Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com