McCallum, Shirley

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our wife and mother, Shirley Ann McCallum (nee Mackenzie) on June 6, 2023, at the age of 83 at Bluewater Health Palliative Care. Predeceased by her parents Glen and Violet Mackenzie (nee Rounding). She will be greatly missed by her dear husband of 64 years, Archie McCallum. Shirley is survived by her 5 children, Todd, Mark, Nancy (Dave Gillatly), Paul (Marcia Thomas), and Jennifer, her 10 grandchildren, Alex, Riley, Randa, Kaleb, Mitchell, Mackenzie, Elizabeth, Jason, Ryan, and Owen, and her 4 great grandchildren, Oakleigh, Bowen, Joe and Ada, and the best sister, Darlene Steinberg (Gary). She was a true lady and a hard worker which she instilled in every single one of her children. She loved her entire family with all her heart. She was everyone’s biggest cheerleader. She loved Sunday dinners, crocheting blankets for her family, puzzles, watching old movies, and music. Shirley loved watching her Toronto Blue Jays and attending her grandchildren’s sports. She was very proud that she went back to school and became a Personal Support Worker. She loved the job and her residents very much. Shirley grew up on the family farm outside of Essex, Ontario. There she learned to love farm life, growing vegetable gardens and crops. She learned how to can her own jams and relish, cooking and baking which she learned from her mother Violet. Shirley made the best turkey and stuffing dinners, butter tarts, homemade rolls, and lemon and apple pies. Her specialty was devilled eggs and the best spaghetti sauce ever. When in hospital, she was always concerned about every person who came to see her. She needed to talk to them and to make a connection. She wanted to make everyone feel welcome. In 1991, she battled breast cancer,
and beat it. Ultimately it returned and took her from us, our beautiful wife, mother and grandma.
A private family service was held at McCormack Funeral Home on Wednesday June 7, 2023. Remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family online in “Shirley’s Guestbook” at mccormackfuneralhomesarnia.com. Donations can be made to St. Josephs Hospice. Sarnia, Ontario.