Aged 90 of Elora, Ontario passed away April 2, 2024, in Groves Memorial Hospital, Centre Wellington. Shirley is survived by her children David Moore (Susan), Brenda Erskine (Ken), Lawrence Moore (Deborah) and Sheri Moore; her grandchildren Cohan Moore, Brendan DePaor-Moore (Zrebar), Emma Moore (Ross), Owen Erskine (Joelle) and Clara Moore; great grandchildren Alvina Erskine, Rojyar DePaor-Karimi and Luisa Moore; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded by her husband Roy Stanley Moore, sister Margaret Munro and brother Irwin Stuart Zieman. Shirley was born in Guelph, Ontario to Ada and Herb Zieman on the summer solstice, June 21, 1933 – a bit of a surprise, as her brother and sister were already 20 and 15 years old. Shirley attended GCVI, where she made lifelong friendships with Diana Callandar and Lorna Bridges. As soon as she could reach the piano keys she was schooled in music by her father. Shirley began a long career as church organist and pianist at age 16 when she took a paid position for Guelph’s Dublin Street United Church. Shirley met Roy on a blind date, and after marrying they moved to Flesherton Ontario, where they started a family and Roy’s veterinary practice. In between raising four children, assisting with the business side of the practice, and playing organ for the United Church, Shirley made lasting friendships with the Robinson family, Joan and Tom McGee and many others. Roy’s career took the family to Fonthill Ontario for a couple years, then to Elora, where Shirley began full time work at the Wellington County Library. She and Roy joined the curling club, thus weaving themselves into small town’s social fabric. Life must have been dull after the children left home, so Shirley and Roy began a new adventure – buying a hobby farm north of Fergus. They cultivated magnificent sunflower fields, herded cows, chased chickens, and boasted a bountiful garden. Shirley gave up the farming life and moved back to Elora after Roy passed away. Music and church were constants in Shirley’s life. After retiring as organist for Elora United, she accompanied Lorraine Drewbrook’s voice students, played with the M and M’s, and joined the Centre Wellington Singers. She remained an active volunteer, canvassing for the Cancer Society, assisting with the Elora Festival Booksale, and helping at the church. She also kept up with world affairs, attending Probus Club and University of Third Age. With her children spread across the country and the world, friends and neighbours became even more important in Shirley’s life. Her children would like to thank the Keating Avenue neighbours who kept an eye on her and the house in her later years, continuing to shovel the driveway, bring in the garbage bins, and dropping off baking when they saw the lights were on. They would also like to thank their own many wonderful friends who provided back-up services when needed. In her final years at Heritage River, she enjoyed a good game of scrabble or crokinole, and a singalong at the piano – her skill with words and notes never deserted her. A celebration of Shirley’s life is planned for June 1, 2024, in Elora. More details will be provided soon. Memorial donations may be made to: Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada. 551 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 0N8. 1 (800) 928-8685. Charitable registration # / Numéro d’enregistrement d’organisme de bienfaisance : 13527 5857 RR0001 OR Covenant House, Toronto (416) 598-4898, 1-800-435-7308 donations@covenanthouse.ca OR a charity of your choice.
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