Tribute

Heaven’s gain is our loss. October 14, 2022 surrounded by her daughters and family, Shirley Marie Snow (Mom/Nan) passed on. Words cannot express the loss we feel as we would all wish for her to be with us forever, but her body had finished its work.

Born December 18th, 1936 Shirley Marie Waugh was born in Grand Falls Newfoundland to James and Elsie Waugh and had 4 siblings: John (Hilda), Patsy (Terry), Dave (Edna) and Sadie (Harvey). For the early part of her life she lived in Grand Falls where she met our dad Varrick Snow (Lefty). They were married in 1955 and they increased their family with 6 daughters Sharon (Dale), Susan (Ken), Karen (Steve), Kathy (Laurie) Donna (Doug) and Heidi (James). A total of six girls who she called her best friends.

She was a mom to all who knew her. Like a Mamma Hen all those who met her were quickly tucked under her wings and loved as her own. From mom duties, she graduated to being the best Nan ever. Her grandchildren include Laura (Tony), Kirsten (Sietse), Jenni (Ed), Crystal (Nick), Tara (Adam), Darren (Hannah), Ricky, Justin, Kayla (Daelen), Matt (Aurore), Ellie, Taylor (Mary), Daniel, Ryan (Anysia) and Grace.

She was proud of all her grandchildren and her great grandkids just grew that love exponentially. If there was a baby in the room it was likely in her arms. Great grandchildren include : Holly, Ava, Ezra, Mikayla, Aiden, Jaxson, Mya, Jocelyn, Liam, Aaliyah, Jamie, Sawyer, Perrin, Hawken, Levi, Scarlett, Poppy and those to come.

She was predeceased by her husband Lefty, by both her parents, her siblings Dave, Sadie, and Patsy, her sons-in-law Dale and Doug and her grandchildren, Ricky, and Ellie.

In 1966 Dad got a job at BCFP here on the West Coast. They bravely packed up to start a new life, leaving Newfoundland in body, but never truly leaving it in their hearts. Mom used to tell us the story of getting lost in the airport when she followed Dad to BC a few weeks later. She had 5 girls at the time and somehow ended up on the tarmac. An announcement came over the loudspeaker requesting that someone collect the Mama and her ducklings and get them to the correct plane. Mom used to say that they had no family here in BC, but by the time she left us she had more than a family, she had a legacy.

There are no words to aptly describe Mom. She was the most kind hearted, generous, albeit potty-mouthed soul you would ever meet. She was so proud of her 6 daughters and made sure everyone knew that she had six girls, all girls! And… that they were her best friends. (Truly, we were and she was ours!) She (and Dad) instilled in us the value of family. Each year Mom would take her daughters away for a 3 day spa trip. These trips were laughter fille times and gave us cherished memories to fill a lifetime. Mom, we promise to carry on that legacy; to gather memories, and to not collect stuff. Mom may not have had the easiest life but if it was within her power, she made sure if she could make anything easier for us.

Life will never be the same without her in it, but it will be richer and more beautiful for having had her in it. Mom,we will take it from here and we promise to: always wear clean underwear, just in case, to not make a goofy face too long lest the wind change and it stays that way, to never change our shirt if we put it inside out so we don’t change our luck; always leave the same door we came out of; throw the salt over our left shoulder and always bless any bread we bake. Mom was not just a little “sticious” she was superstitious.

Rest easy, enjoy some tea and toutons with your heavenly family. You live on in all of us.

The family would like to thank the kind care of Dr. Cutt and the Festubert Clinic for all the care she received for so many years and more recently the care of the Palliative team that worked so quickly to get all we needed to care for Mom and to answer our questions with so much compassion. Lastly, thanks to our sister Donna, you are our hero for sharing your home with Mom, giving up your job to take care of her and being her safe space. You allowed us quality final years with Mom.

In lieu of flowers we would suggest a donation to the Hospice Team in Duncan and/or pass on a good deed to someone in need. That would make Mom most happy.

Celebration of her Awesomeness will be held November 5, 2022 1 pm

H.W. Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre 5285 Polkey Rd .

Please dress colourfully and brightly for Mom.