Wawa Mourns Shirley Ruth Coleman
Shirley Thompson-Coleman 1928-2012
Shirley Ruth COLEMAN – Born May 2, 1928 in Atwood, Elma Township, Perth County, daughter of the late Elwin and Vina Ruth (nee Tillman) Thompson, died June 6, 2012 in Wawa, Algoma, age 84, Shirley was predeceased by her loving husband William “Bill” Coleman.
She was raised in Ethel, Ontario and attended Listowel H.S. After graduation from Stratford Normal School, she started her career in the one room S.S #6, Grey Township, Huron County. With Bill’s encouragement, she accepted a job offer at the Mission School, Michipicoten in 1950; they felt they had found Heaven on Earth. Shirley loved dogs, hunting and fishing and the free life they experienced in Wawa. She played the harmonica for friends and family on festive occasions. They lived for thirteen years at High Falls on the Michipicoten. She retired from Sir James Dunn Public School and is remembered fondly by generations of students. She was an avid reader and cryptic crossword puzzler. Shirley leaves her brother Ken and wife Abbie Thompson in Victoria, British Columbia; six nieces and nephews: Georgianne (Fred), Shirley (Jonathan), Stephen (Cynthia), Andrew (Susan), Gregory (Valerie) and Elizabeth (Robert); fourteen grand nieces and nephews: Amanda, Sarah, Julia, David, Rachel, Rebecca, Christopher, Aimee, Nicholas, Peter, Benjamin, William, Abigail and Emma, and ten great grand nieces and nephews. She also leaves Phyllis Coleman, Sharon Wilfing, Jack and Joan Coleman. The family extends deepest gratitude to Rachelle Martel, whose support and kindness allowed Shirley to live in her own home, and to the doctors and nurses of Lady Dunn Health Centre in Wawa for their superb care.
At Shirley’s request cremation has taken place, and an interment of her ashes followed at the Woodland Cemetery. Memorial donations made in her honour to Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation, 17 Government Rd., P.O. Box 179, Wawa, ON P0S 1K0 or through the website would be appreciated. (Funeral arrangements entrusted to the P.M. Gilmartin Funeral Home, 705-856-7340)..
