ANDERSON, Shirley

Shirley Anne Anderson April 19, 1930 – April 11, 2024 Shirley Anne Anderson (Bennett) died peacefully at home with family by her side. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Robert Newton Anderson and her brother George Ritchie Bennett. Shirley is survived by her children Janis Pritchard (Malcolm), Ellen Anderson (Warren Moore), Jeffrey Anderson (Carol), Garnet Anderson (Francis Autendyke) and David Anderson (Cathy); ten grandchildren, Jennifer Pritchard (Ryan Norton), Arwyn Moore (Jason Cobham), Matthew Pritchard (Lauren McGruthers), Dylan Moore (Sylvie), Hilary Pritchard (Reginald Miller), William Anderson (Shaina Jukes), Anna Moore, Rachel (Anderson) Souster (Taylor), Blair Anderson and Cali Anderson; and eleven great grandchildren, Celia Pritchard, Sarah Miller, Madeleine Norton, Winston Cobham, Aesa Pritchard, Liam Norton, Ezra Anderson, Beatrice Cobham, Lilian Moore, Elsie Miller and Evelyn Moore; as well as her sister in-law Gena (Anderson) McNabb (James) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Shirley was born and raised in Saskatoon. She graduated with a BA in psychology from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, where she met her husband Bob. She worked as a social worker in various communities in Saskatchewan before and after their marriage. After the arrival of their children Shirley supported Bob through all of his post graduate studies and throughout his distinguished academic career. She was instrumental in all of Bob’s professional and personal accomplishments, even as a busy mother of five. Shirley returned to social work after completing her second degree, a BSW at the University of Calgary, while still actively parenting at home. She was employed as a social worker in Lethbridge until retirement. Shirley and Bob and their family lived in many places and traveled the world, especially after they retired. Shirley was a fearless traveller and continued her travels until a few years ago. Shirley was an active member of Harbourside Co-housing in Sooke where she lived after Bob’s death. She was the oldest person at Harbourside and a role model for all of her friends there. She had a personal trainer for the last year of her life. She inspired her Harbourside friends with her kindness, strength, determination and independence. Her family was her most important priority in life and she kept an active interest and involvement in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who brought her much joy. Always generous with her time and talents, Shirley was and remained interested in all the activities of her family, and was involved in every community she lived in. She was an active member in University Women’s Club and Habitat for Humanity wherever she lived. She was a hospice visitor in Sooke for a number of years and helped prepare and deliver Meals on Wheels in Sooke. She was a cutthroat Words with Friends player and regularly won at Scrabble, Bridge and every card game she played – even winning often at bocce when she had limited eye sight. Shirley was a devoted member of McKillop United Church in Lethbridge and maintained a keen interest in local, provincial and federal politics and world events. She was a citizen of the world. Her enduring sense of humour and curiosity sustained Shirley and her family members until the end. As always she was the most loving, intelligent, kind, practical and sensible of women in all of her roles – a role model and inspiration for her children and their families.
There will be a family gathering in Saskatoon in the summer to celebrate Shirley’s life.