Shirley Leahy (nee Campbell)

September 6, 1933 - March 14, 2023
Shirley Leahy died at home after suffering brain cancer in her 90th year. Her children Fiona, John (Ronda) and Catherine (Gary) rallied around her as did her much-loved grandchildren: Maggie (Rob); Charlee; Cass (Haidee); Shawna (Chris); Ryley (Lou); and Charlie (Meagan). She had treasured moments with her great-grandchildren, Townes and Ayden, and was eager to meet Myka and another great-grandchild due in April. She enjoyed a recent visit by her dear sister, Sheila and nephew Alastair. She also saw her niece, Liz and the full Leahy Clan on a 2018 trip to England. During her illness, friends, near and far, took time to visit, call and send kind thoughts.
Shirley was born in Sale, England, the eldest daughter of Bob and Vera Campbell and the eldest of 18 grandchildren. She had good memories of seaside holidays, finding fairies in the garden and a summer on a Scottish farm. Less idyllic were compulsory plaits that found their way into inkwells. Shirley won a scholarship exam to attend Sale Grammar School for Girls where she became a school prefect. At school, she made many lifelong friends, travelling back to the UK to enjoy several school reunions. During wartime, she had an inexplicable ability to forewarn her family of bombs before they dropped. Following the war, she was a strong believer in peace and a saver for anything that could be potentially useful. In the 1950s, she studied English literature at Bangor University, Wales, obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Arts. There, she rowed competitively and made more lifelong friends. While she divulged little, these were her wild rebellious years. It was also here she met Peter whom she would marry in 1956. Shirley remained in close contact with her UK family and friends throughout her life, returning for visits with her young children and Peter, and later, on her own. These trips often included an excursion to Scotland, a place to which she felt a real connection.
Shirley and Peter moved to Canada, settling first in Victoria, then Kamloops and finally, Vernon where they built a beautiful home above Kalamalka Lake. As our mother, she encouraged us to try new things, play games (she was a bit competitive), get outside, make loyal friends, obtain degrees, go travelling and be independent. We realize now she gave us a great recipe for life. She was part of a board that established a group home for troubled youth in Vernon and went on to become the administrator. She also advocated for the election of a fair hospital board and the protection of Okanagan and Kalamalka Lakes as part of SPEC. She and Peter built lasting friendships with other families, enjoying tennis matches, hiking with the naturalist club, swimming in the lake, travelling to exotic destinations, as well as local camping, canoeing and sailing adventures including a dramatic capsize. They also threw legendary dinner parties. When Peter was diagnosed with cancer in 1993, they returned to the coast.
Shirley spent the remainder of her life on her own and mostly in places by the sea. She made close friends with neighbours and members of Probus and newcomers clubs. She kept active through walking groups, theatre, symphonies, exercise classes, book clubs and cryptic crosswords, and continued to travel whenever possible. She provided volunteer help where she could and gave generously to many charities. She entertained friends, and supported family events and vacations including recent trips to England, Hawaii, Scotland, the Gulf Islands and last summer, to Parksville where memories and sandcastles were built.
We will remember her English reserve, her delight in art, her authenticity which could be a bit scary for our friends and our dates; her enjoyment of reading; her quirks, her love of the sea; her irritation at poor service; and her ability to keep a confidence. Most of all, we will remember her generosity and loving support, and best of all, laughing with us or her sister until we all cried.
Special thanks to Fiona, Ramona, Rebecca, Daria and Penelope for their commitment to mom during her illness. We hope she is once again hiking an alpine meadow or sailing the ocean with Peter.
Memorial service to be held at 2 pm, June 17, 2023, at St. Andrew Anglican Church, 9691 Fourth Street, Sidney.