Shirley Turney

May 27, 2026

We regretfully announce the peaceful passing of Shirley Mabel Joan Turney on May 27, 2026 in North Vancouver B.C.  Shirley had just reached the commendable age of 95. Our family would have treasured even more time with her. It is a comfort though that our Mom left this earth knowing that she was, and would forever be, loved by us all.

Shirley was born in 1931 in Moulinette, Ontario, the second-youngest of six children, to Harry and Mabel Johnston. She attended Moulinette Grade School and then Cornwall Collegiate. Shirley loved to swim, row and skate, but was shy in the big high school. She avoided group sports. She clearly didn’t avoid the hockey rink though: she dated a young man named Eugene Turney, a skookum team player and they married in 1951. Between 1953 and 1962 the two of them moved westward and had four daughters. Shirley and Eugene turned out to be equally adventuresome. They loved exploring the fringe communities of southern BC. They weren’t daunted by moving lock-stock-and-barrel (and their growing family) many times. In the Kootenays the two of them designed and built a log cabin while camping with their children on the riverbed there. In the Cariboo, on the edge of Roe Lake, Shirley and Eugene restored a rustic log home, fortified split rail fences against wayward cattle, gardened, swam and hiked to their heart’s content. A converted country church in Rosedale caught their fancy and they lived there for quite some time. Over the years Shirley and Eugene called Cornwall, Vancouver, Kimberley, Cranbrook, Canal Flats, Chilliwack, 100 Mile House, Rosedale and Kamloops “home”.

Shirley’s interests were many. She loved fashion and reading, cooking and music (folk and classical). She could debate politics or books with anyone. Her expressive long fingers were made for playing the piano. While cooking (a clay-baker chicken or a flowerpot bread) Shirley would sing to the stereo, perfectly in tune, to Brahms or Divorak (New World Symphony). She had serious colour-sense and an eye for Interior décor, creating beauty on a shoestring budget. Bright balls of wool in a basket atop a tea crate was a highlight. (Shirley could knit as well). As for fashion, she dressed in a style that was uniquely hers. She combined sporty with arty, topped it all off with a tam, and she looked great. One of Shirley’s favourite pleasures in later-life was enjoying a fine cup of coffee with Eugene at Swiss Pastry in Kamloops. The two of them walked there almost daily and loved engaging with staff and fellow customers. 

Shirley is survived by her younger brother Bud, her four daughters, Debbie (Leo), Carol (Bill), Alison (David), Nancy (Scott), nine grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Eugene, in 2008.

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