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In Memory of
Shirley Miller (Pettifer)
1940
-
2024

Obituary of Shirley Miller (Pettifer)

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With heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Shirley Anne Miller at the L&A County General Hospital on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Born on August 21, 1940 in Denbigh, Ontario, Shirley was a devoted and loving wife of Keith Miller, who stood by her side for over 56 years with unwavering love, respect and support. Proud and loving mother of five children, Adam Miller (Barbara), Gwen Bateman (James), Sandra Topping (Jim) and Carol Bernier. Predeceased by her eldest son Anthony Bernier. Shirley was a loving grandmother to Allan, Amanda, Jason, Patrick, Sarah, Jennifer, Dana and William. She is also missed by her ten great grandchildren, her brother Stephen Pettifer, nephew Robert and niece Robyn Anne. Her memory will be a source of comfort for all of them. She is predeceased by her brother Robert.
 

A staple in her community and successful artist, Shirley passionately expressed her love for her home, Amherst Island. Throughout her life Shirley touched the hearts of many with her compassion, sense of humor and loving spirit. Her family and friends will forever hold her in their hearts, remembering the joy and love she brought into their lives. Her warmth, kindness and unwavering love will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

 

A Celebration of Life and gathering of memories will be held at the Lodge on Amherst Island on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 1 – 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Cancer Society. Rest in peace Shirley, your love and light will forever guide us.

 

Arrangements entrusted to Payne Funeral Home. Please share your memories and condolences to the family.

posted a condolence
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Mom you planted so many good seeds in your lifetime. Our lives are forever richer for being a part of yours. Love you always and forever. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
posted a condolence
Sunday, July 28, 2024
From CJAI radio. You will be missed alot. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Margie posted a condolence
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Keith and family , So sorry for you loss , my condolences to your family, she was a beautiful person and I will miss seeing her, our last visit was when you both came to see Ron and I am thankful for that time , love to all RIP Shirley , God has another angel now . Margie Miller
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Barbara Mcdonald posted a condolence
Monday, September 9, 2024
Sometime back in the early 80’s, Shirley and I were sitting in the old milk house off the barn — on farmland that I had purchased at an auction on the island in 1979. We were kibitzing, as we so often did, about everyday life and my obsession with making schooling Real, in the outdoors, for island students — not unlike the detailed Realism I saw in her paintings. Eventually the conversation somehow turned to the possibilities for this space, the milk house, to be a place for her to come and paint. Out of her rural roots, I think Shirley knew somehow she could feel “at home” painting in this once rural space that had real purpose. She would say that If there is anything I have to offer to others through my paintings, it is the emotional contact with this place, Amherst Island, where I live and with the people I love. In no time, Shirley had transformed the old milk house into her space to paint. She soon hung up her shingle on the outside announcing — The Milk House Studio. For me, Shirley painted the beauty of what too often goes unnoticed — but what in detail — matters in life. Shirley was a magical realist. Her magic was extended to me not just through her paintings but through her being who she was — compassionate, ‘down to earth’, intuitive, creative, skilled in all ways, with a playful sense of humour — honest. She was my friend. I miss knowing she is no longer with us. Yet, her presence and legacy remains through the water colour painting of the Milk House/Barn that hangs so prominently on the wall of my island timber frame home — the gift from Shirley so many years ago.
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Marion Wannamaker posted a condolence
Monday, August 5, 2024
Keith and family…our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Shirley has left a wonderful legacy for you all and so very many others she has touched over her lifetime. May you find peace and comfort in the love of God and love of family and friends . Most sincerely, Marion and Larry Wannamaker.
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Penny Kingsbury posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Shirley was my friend and mentor. I will always remember the fun times we had at Friday art classes. My heart is heavy to know that she has gone.
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Janet Ross posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Shirley was an amazing person...SO talented artistically! I have four of her beautiful paintings, all so different. I took art classes from her and have two watercolours to show for it. She was such a calm and sweet teacher. I was her dentist for many years and always looked forward to seeing her and Keith when they were in for appointments. I am saddened to hear that she is gone...she truly was "salt of the earth."
posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
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Gwendolyn Bateman posted a condolence
Sunday, July 28, 2024
Mama was a loving kind person who was loved by everyone. She and Dad traveled by train to visit us here in Calgary and they were so excited to be able to see a small glimpse of our life here out West. Mom was a small package with a big heart and enormous strengths. We will all miss her kind words, stories, paintings, guidance and most of all her beautiful smile. Love and miss you forever! Gwen and Bateman Family
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Sharen English posted a condolence
Friday, July 26, 2024
I was a student of Shirley's art class on Amherst Island. She was kind, caring, loving and giving. I will miss her. Sharen English.
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Sandra Hollywood posted a condolence
Thursday, July 25, 2024
I cherish the winter evenings I spent at Shirley and Keith's home many years ago, while Shirley shared her extensive knowledge of water colour painting with me, how to choose paint, how to mix paint, and even how to clean my brushes. I was then, and I continue to be in awe of her talent. My sincerest sympathy to all of Shirley's family. Sandra Hollywood
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Dana Peckford posted a condolence
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Sugar Shack with Grandma
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Dana Peckford (nee Loyst) posted a condolence
Thursday, July 25, 2024
My grandmother was an incredibly strong woman with a fabulous sense of humor. I'm going to miss the sound of her laugh. Her eyes would literally sparkle as her lips curled in laughter. I remember a time (one in particular from many) where she piled all us grand kids into the back of the little trailer she had attached to the four wheeler. We were off to the sugar Shack to make maple syrup in the back woods. Off we went; Kids, beaners and weaners, Kraft dinner, blankets and supplies in tow to meet grandpa at the shack. The rule was- keep eachother busy, don't get in the way of the work and be kind to one another. We were most excited for the sleepover in the old wood bunks and if we were lucky, maybe a taste of the syrup. There was a bunch of bottles that sat up on the ledge in the old cabin filled with different grades of colouring so that they could identify the syrup, two bunk beds, a couple of old chairs, a table and of course, some home knitted blankets that always had 'grandmas' scent on them you could cuddle into. I can remember that once you got past the two cow fields at the back of her property, you could smell sugar and fire which pierced the air as soon as you hit the edge of the wood forest path- this meant you were getting close! Half way along, we must have hit a bump with a wheel wrong and all children and belongings went out at once. She immediately noticed and when she did she she exclaimed ..."Oh dear, I've upset the apple cart!" and started to giggle. I suppose we were the apples she was referring to. We all giggled because what fun she made of silliness and adventures with grandma. She was often working, cooking, gardening or painting/writing. She was an intensely smart woman. She could rig or fix nearly anything and had inventive ways of getting around a challenge. I would like to think my cousin's, my brother and I have all inherited her sense of artistic appreciation, some talent (hard shoes to fill as she was queen of creativity) and her ability to laugh at ourselves and to take joy in our adventures - and in each other even in times of grief or difficulty. I'll leave it to this one memory however and hope my cousin's and brother smile when remembering this one with the same joy I do. Rest in peace grandma.
posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Paul G. Payne Funeral Home Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

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