Obituary of Shirley Margaret Pink

We are saddened to announce the passing of our mother Shirley Margaret Pink (Mackay) , Born July 24, 1937, mom passed away peacefully at home in Kimberley, BC, August 30, 2023.

Shirley was born in Summerside, P.E.I., she lived there with her family until she was 16, Shirley loved her little island and fondly spoke about all her childhood memories with family and friends. Mom loved swimming in the ocean, digging for clams, eating fresh lobster, skating on the small ponds, baking with her mom and grandma Bishop. When Shirley was 16 her family moved to Sudbury, Ontario, where she went on to finish school at Sudbury Secondary, work at Ontario Hydro, then went on to work for Imperial Oil until she retired. Mom while working and raising us still had time to work for 22 years as the secretary of St. Marks United church in Sudbury, Ontario.

 Mom met our father Ronald Jarl Pink (predeceased), they have 3 children – Sandy Pink, Leslie Pink, and Scott Pink.  Shirley loved being a mom, she was there for us and encouraged us to follow our dreams. Mom was proud of everything we did, mom loved watching Leslie perform, Scott ski race and loved coming to hill to watch Sandy ski.  Mom loved her Toronto Maple Leaf’s, mom watched hockey night in Canada every Saturday for as long as we can remember.  Mom loved her dogs, her last dog was Jazz, this was her companion for many years, Jazz came with mom from Ontario, he passed away a couple of years ago.  Leslie saw how lonely mom was without a dog and got a St Bernewfie named Yodel.  This gave mom great pleasure to have a dog around, even though he is more like a horse.

Mom loved to dance (we would watch mom and dad in living room dancing the night away and on the odd occasions go dancing at the finish hall. Mom was an awesome singer- she sang in the choir and at home for us, we remember our evening boat cruises, with mom singing and playing guitar, mom’s go to song back then was “Joy to the world”. Mom loved blues and jazz music; on Saturday morning mom would even listen to a little country. We lived on Nepahwin lake for many years, mom would love to swim (when it got warm enough), skate, hang out with grandbabies, entertain family and friends (everyone was welcome), knit, crossword puzzles, mom loved playing cards, even at her age, mom was sharp as a whip. Mom had a great sense of humor and was quite witty, we would all laugh together a lot. Mom had the largest heart and everyone who met mom loved her.  Mom was also a speed demon in her car, but no left-hand turns, now we understand where we get our need for speed.

Mom would knit sweaters for all of us and any of our friends who had babies.  We will treasure these sweaters forever.  Mom was known for her famous spaghetti sauce, meatballs, and legendary stuffing balls.  You knew when mom was making sauce, we would be there, no matter what was going on along with the neighborhood.  People were known to take mom’s stuffing balls and sneak them out of the house in their shirt pocket.  Mom made the best sauce last month when Scott and family were here in Kimberley, we are all so thankful for that night we were all together.

Shirley sold her beloved house on lake Nepahwin and moved to Barrie, Ontario to be closer to Scott and his family, she wanted to be close to see her grandchildren grow up. Mom thoroughly enjoyed watching Sam and Ben play hockey, soccer, jamming and playing guitar.  Shirley then moved to Kimberley, B.C., to be close to her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Shirley loved living with Leslie, there were always people visiting and jamming music, mom would come out and visit, sometimes sing a song, crack a joke, and then go back to her suite and knit or do crosswords. Mom would come out to watch Jeffery playing music and would love to debate with him, mom taught Karli and Raina how to knit and always had a great story for them.  The great grandbabies loved visiting G.G. (great grandmother) as mom always had cupcakes, sometimes a few months past the best before date, but kids would eat them anyway.   Hunter, Hope and Lyla would love hanging out in the room with GG, she was always so loving and had them laughing. 

It is so hard to sum up an amazing women’s life in a few words.

Mom is survived by – daughters – Sandy Pink (Stan Curren),Kimberley, BC, Leslie Pink (Kimberley, BC), son -Scott Pink(Jillian McArthur),Barrie, Ont., Grand children - Karli  France(Kimberley, BC), Raina Gex Collet(Byron Gex Collet, Cranbrook, BC, Sam Pink(Barrie, Ontario), Ben Pink(Barrie, Ontario) Great Grandchildren – Hunter France, Hope France, Lyla Curren, Brother -Harry Mackay, along with many cousins and friends

Mom is predeceased by Husband Ron Pink, Mother Lucy Mackay, Father Balfour Mackay, Brother BJ Mackay, Grandson Jeffery Curren (wife Jessie Foisy), Mother-in-Law - Mary Pernu, Father-in-Law – Earl Pink, William Gill

 

Mom will be missed so dearly, mom has now gone to meet with the loves of her life on the heavenly side, mom will be shining a light down on us singing “And That’s All.”

We love you, Mom.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the Heart and Stroke foundation.

We will be having a small family celebration of life as per mom’s request.