Tri-City Cremation Services - Kitchener 519-772-1237 Cambridge 519-267-7199
  • Home
  • About
  • Cremation
  • Burial
  • Preplanning
  • Grief Resources
  • Obituaries & Condolences
  • Contact

​

Shirley Daisy O'Donnell

9/18/2020

3 Comments

 
Picture
   1928- 2020

In peace and surrounded by love, Shirley Daisy O’Donnell  passed after a brief illness on September 16, 2020 at her home in Kitchener, Ontario with her daughter Shelagh, son Kevin and foster daughter Sheryl by her side. Shirley was a force of nature who embraced life fully throughout her 92 years, making a lasting impact on countless others.

In Frank Capra’s film It’s A Wonderful Life, the hero is guided by an angel to witness how other’s lives would have unfolded had he not existed. The scene could play out in much the same way with Shirley as the heroine. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba in the Great Depression, Shirley learned from her father Charles Pickrell and foster parents Ray and Daisy Rusk that no matter the circumstance, there was always enough to help someone in need. As a young girl, she regularly travelled across Canada - a perk of Ray’s CPR career.  She lived her life by the simple motto – “if you have helped change even one person’s life for the better, yours will have been a success.” There was always a place at the table, an open door and a bed for anyone who needed it. Even as a single mother, her home was always a safe harbour for many at a cross-roads in their life. She was loving grandmother to Ella, Kiara, and Vinton.

At 21 years of age, she married high school sweetheart Alan Cook, a tail gunner in WWII. With a love of music and a natural affinity for dance, she worked as a ballroom dance instructor, model, and advertising agency assistant.  Her striking fashion sense and “one-pin Gibson Girl” hairstyle were iconically “Shirley”.  As a sought-after executive assistant, skilled in the art of short hand and speed typing, Toronto beckoned in the 1950s. Her successful career included working with the Ontario Road Builders Association, Peat Marwick & Associates (KPMG), Warner Brothers Pictures, and Sayvette corporate. Her sharp legal mind made her a natural to run the criminal law office and mayoral campaign of her second husband, Francis Leo O’Donnell, while working as a court reporter and transcriptionist.

Last month, Shirley was able to visit her beloved Christian Island, where she played an integral role for five decades. Her pioneer spirit was given free reign every summer as she thrived without running water or electricity at her historic square-hewn log cabin. Through her work as Cottagers Association President, she forged lasting bonds between the cottage community and Beausoleil First Nation, was Founder and Editor of The Islander, led numerous environmental initiatives including the Dunes Preservation Project as well as many joint social events – always with the goal of creating one shared island community. 

A natural leader with a resilient and entrepreneurial spirit, Shirley lived life with buoyant confidence and optimism, often saying “you may not know where it will lead, but there’s always another door ready to open.” She nimbly moved through numerous enterprises including founding show dog and breeding kennel Snow Leopard Dalmatians, creating and leading the Arthritis Society’s Move to the Music aqua fit program at Bayview and Centenary hospitals, and working as a certified international Colours Consultant. Dogs were always her weak spot. From countless rescues to show dogs, she was never without one in her life.

Her inherent elegance, grace, intelligence, humour and infectious smile were as present as ever as the page turned on her last chapter.

A celebration of life will be planned for a later date.

​Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237
3 Comments
John Hall
9/19/2020 10:16:07 pm

Such a wonderful summary of the life of this truly amazing woman. My family (Heather, Kendall and I) were so blessed to have been Shirley’ s neighbour on Christian Island. She truly was a force of nature, but also such a gracious, welcoming and loving person. She was fully engaged in life and interested in and genuinely concerned about the people around her. The world is a lesser place without her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her children whom she loved so dearly. John

Reply
Victoria littler
9/21/2020 10:08:19 am

Shelagh: I am so very sorry for this heartbreaking loss for you and your family. Your Mum sounds like an amazing person. Thinking of you. Victoria

Reply
Francie Martin-Johnston
10/18/2020 09:43:31 pm

My heart felt condolences to all of you on the passing of your mom, one of world's special people. My memories of Shirley span 55 years - throughout them she remained beautiful, full of grace, intelligent, generous and kind. Shirley lit up any room she entered - heaven has a new angel.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Welcome. If you would like to leave a message of condolence, click on the comments line in the obituary, then scroll down to the section for leaving a reply​

    Past Obituaries

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

Testimonials

"I just wanted to say how pleased we were with the help you guys provided to us. I was very nervous about the whole situation however you made us feel very comfortable and at ease. Very professional yet personal, no pressure just quality service. We are recommending you guys every chance we get”  ​Mary
“Hi Shawn, just taking a moment finally to express my gratitude on the wonderful services you have provided thus far. Your staff (Lisa) has been wonderful with everything. A true professional and very empathetic and compassionate to our loss. She did an amazing job in preparing mom for our intimate viewing. Mom looked exactly how she would've if still with us. I was so pleased to see how perfect everything was.”  Carlo
“Thank you so much I not sure if you are told enough but you truly are amazing for what you do the help you give the relief you give people after losing a loved one I want to thank you.”  
“Shawn, please accept our thanks for making the cremation process simple and dignified. You could not have been any more helpful and I am very grateful for your ‘virtual’ presence.” 
“Once again, thank you so much for your kind service on behalf of myself and her family, we thank you for making a difficult time seamless” 

    Contact Us

Submit
Immediate Need
If you have an immediate need for a loved one, please call us now. ​
​We have a licensed staff member on call 24 hours a day to assist you at this difficult time.
​
​​Kitchener Office: 
1601 River Road East, Unit 28A,  Kitchener, ON   N2A 3Y4
519-772-1237  kitchener@tricitycremations.com
Licence #1051
Cambridge Office:
383 Elgin Street North, Unit 10,  Cambridge, ON   N1R 8C1
​
519-267-7199  cambridge@tricitycremations.com
​
Licence #1280

Canadian Federation of
 Independent Business
Picture
Consumer Protection Ontario
Picture
Funeral Service
Association of Canada
Picture
Ontario Funeral
Service Association
Picture
​​Licensed by
​Bereavement Authority of Ontario
Picture
Consumer Information Guide
​© 2022 Tri-City Cremation Services.  All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • About
  • Cremation
  • Burial
  • Preplanning
  • Grief Resources
  • Obituaries & Condolences
  • Contact