Obituary of SHIRLEY DOUGLAS

DOUGLAS, SHIRLEY IRENE ANN DOUGLAS, Shirley Irene Ann (nee Pamplin) passed away January 24, 2013 at Norfolk General Hospital, just days after her 77th birthday. She leaves behind her devoted husband, Henry and her loving children Shar, Allan (Lynnette) , Bruce and Crystal (Pat) Gignac. Beloved grandchildren Loretta, Hannah, Thomas, Natasha, Adam, Rachel and Brett and great-grandchildren Faith and Evan. Dear sister of Harry(Marg). She is also survived by a vast host of loving nieces and nephews, by whom she is deeply loved and will be sadly missed. Predeceased by her parents Frank & Myrtle Pamplin, by brothers Bevan, LaVerne (Phyllis), Bob (Dorothy) (Pat), Bill (Jean), Orrie (Irene) and her son Tom. Some of Shirley's fondest memories were growing up with 6 brothers and their families, the children of renowned Square Dance Caller Frank Pamplin and his wife Myrtle. Saturday nights saw the whole family loaded into the buggy and off to the dance hall. No wonder then that Shirley loved to dance. At 12 years old Shirley won the 1948 Miss Norfolk Beauty Pageant (you had to be 18 to enter) . She also reveled in playing ball with the Simcoe Starrs. While raising her young family, Shirley gained entry level full time employment with the Scotia Bank in Port Dover. She took evening courses non-stop and diligently worked her way up through the ranks at the bank. This was in a era when women were campaigning hard to shatter the glass ceiling and achieve equal rights for women including equal pay and equal access to better paying jobs. Shirley proudly succeeded in becoming the first female bank manager in our area. Many young women in Port Dover (and later in South River) pledge a debt of gratitude to Shirley's ground breaking achievements and for the fine role model and mentor she was to them. Shirley enjoyed an active role in giving back to the community by way of service through the Sea Scouts, the Girl Guides, Kinettes and minor baseball. She also very much enjoyed her membership in the Women's Business Group. After retiring from the bank Shirley and Henry moved to South River where for 25 years they successfully owned and operated the Stop 11 Variety Store. In 2010, Shirley and Henry returned to their hometown roost in Port Dover. Shirley was and is dearly loved, she will be so deeply missed and never forgotten. Visitation will be held at THOMPSON WATERS FUNERAL HOME, 102 First Ave., Port Dover (519) 583-1530 on Monday, January 28, 2013 from 2pm to 4 pm and 7 pm to 9 pm. A Service to Celebrate Shirley's life will be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 11 am in the funeral home Chapel. The Reverend Frank Walker officiating. Cremation to follow. For those wishing, donations to Norfolk General Hospital, The Canadian Cancer Society or the S.P.C.A. would be greatly appreciated. On-line donations and or condolences can be made at www.thompsonwatersfuneralhome.ca