Friday, November 26, 2021 at 12:00 a.m.
Beach, Shirley
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of SHIRLEY ELIZABETH BEACH (née Kennon) at Chinook Regional Hospital (Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada), on Friday, November 19, 2021 at the age of 90 years.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of SHIRLEY ELIZABETH BEACH (née Kennon) at Chinook Regional Hospital (Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada), on Friday, November 19, 2021 at the age of 90 years.
Shirley will be cherished forever by her beloved husband James (Jim) Beach; her children, Barbara Lynne Cruz; John Beach (Chrys); and Diane Nikkel (Jim); and her grandchildren Raeanne Beach, Dylan Nikkel and Shaelynn Beach.
She was predeceased by her parents, Alice Laura Kennon (nee Hardie) (1888-1978) and William Henry (Harry) Kennon (1874-1952); her sisters Reverend Marjorie Alice Kennon, Frances Mary Tanner, and Nora Bernice Gee; her brothers Samuel Hardie Kennon and Gordon Arthur Kennon; and two siblings who died in infancy.
Shirley was born in Swalwell, Alberta on April 30, 1931 where her parents lived on a farm after moving there from London, Ontario. At age 13, Shirley moved to Calgary, Alberta with her mother. Shirley blossomed in her teen years, becoming a stunning beauty with many friends. Shirley says she first noticed her husband-to-be, Jim, when they were in high school. Jim was playing basketball and Shirley thought he had "great legs." Shirley first caught Jim's eye at a distance in downtown Calgary when she was walking along with friends and decided he would like to meet her. Jim would run into her at dance halls in Calgary and ask her to dance with him. Over the years, dancing was one of their favourite past times. Shirley worked as a stenographer at the Alberta Wheat Pool.
Shirley and Jim married in 1958 and had three children. She loved being an at-home mother and relished trying new recipes, gardening and canning, and entertaining friends and family in her home. Keeping up with her athletic husband, Shirley snow skied, water skied, played golf, and cycled. The first 13 years of their marriage was spent in Calgary with a short interlude in Red Deer, Alberta. Then in 1971, Jim was transferred to Lethbridge, Alberta.
Once in Lethbridge, Shirley became a dedicated member of the Evangelical Free Church and later St. Augustine's Anglican Church. She was a woman who prayed fervently, shared her love of God with others, and helped others locally and globally, in practical ways and in giving to charities. She was a selfless, kind woman with a wonderful sense of humour. She was especially close to her sisters and they laughed often and with great gusto. She was adored by her husband of 63 years of marriage, and was a loving, supportive mother and grandmother. Always in our hearts. Missed every moment. Forever in the Lord.
A public Memorial Service will be held at Cornerstone Funeral Home on Friday, December 17 at 11:00 A.M. Due to Covid restrictions, seating is limited to 50 people. Please RSVP your attendance to Cornerstone at 403-381-7777 or care@cornerstonefh.com
The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed via Shirley's obituary on the Cornerstone website.
If friends and family so desire, a memorial tribute can be directed to The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (pwrdf.org)
Guestbook (7)
Share a memory or send a tribute in memory of Shirley.
We remember Shirley as kind and gracious and we loved her sweet smile. Shirley had a deep faith and effectively taught children about God's love for them, when she volunteered in various children's ministries. Shirley made an impact on the lives of the children she taught and we are grateful for her influence in our lives. Our condolences to each family member.
I will continue to remember Shirley for her caring and kindness. She often invited me over for tea, where she would have me in fits of laughter. She was the first on the doorstep to welcome my family when we moved from the UK to Lethbridge in 1992. RIP Shirley. Condolences to your family
I loved your dear mother. She was always so kind to me, and always happy to see me. James and I want to send our love to all of the family.
Loved this lady, a complete joy while she was with us at Extendicare. Thank you Shirley for your kind comments.
WE are deeply sorry to hear of your loss, Jim. Our best wishes as your faith cvarries you through thid difficult time. Blessings to you and your family.
My heartfelt condolences to my childhood 'second family'! I'll always have fond and funny memories of your Mom, especially when she baby-sat me when my parents travelled and I stayed with you! She was a wonderful lady and I'll never forget her giant love-filled smile!! Much love, Jamie
Our deepest condolences to all of you during this difficult time, 48 years as neighbors of my parents, every time we have had conversations all of them were just as wonderful as Shirley.