Shirley Victoria Marie Gillard-Fillier (nee Rowsell)
July 11th, 1937 – April 8th, 2024
Passed peacefully away in the presence of her family and into the arms of her loving Saviour, at the White Bay Central Health Centre in Roddickton, on April 8, 2024, at the age of 86.
Shirley was born in King’s Cove, Bonavista Bay, to Lodrick and Gladys Rowsell. She moved to Roddickton at the age of two years.
She was an industrious woman, who applied her many skills to help provide for the needs of her seven children. Shirley was well known for her excellent sewing ability; taking on many challenging projects such as wedding and graduation dresses. Her skill sets in this area enabled her to become an instructor with the local community college for evening courses. In 1965 she moved with her husband and family to Sudbury, Ontario for employment. While there, she worked her way up to supervisor at Murrays Restaurant, a job she enjoyed greatly according to the numerous stories she was always ready to share with her family. While serving as a guard for female inmates at the local holding jail in Roddickton, Shirley was able to establish close and lifelong relationships with the wards in her care. Often providing solace and comfort to women at difficult times in their lives. While she helped the inmates, she didn’t forget about the local RCMP officers, as she was hired to cook daily meals for them. Shirley loved attending church and was honoured to have served as a board member and Sunday school teacher. She was active in the political life of her town and province and was a staunch Liberal Party supporter. She considered voting to be a very important civic duty, so much so that she, despite her weakened condition, made sure she got out and voted for her grandson-in-law when he ran for the local town council just a few short weeks ago. Shirley was an avid fisherwoman and could often be seen casting a line up in the Tickles near their cabin that she loved so much. She also worked for several years at the local senior's home, Roddickton House. The same home that she became a resident of in her later years.
She is predeceased by her first husband and father of her seven children, Stennie Gillard, daughter Gloria, granddaughters Carla and Tanya and great grandson Jack, parents Lodrick and Gladys Rowsell, sister Louise and brother George.
She leaves to mourn her husband, Alvin Fillier; her brother Ross (Laura); her children Doris (Lloyd), Rhonda (Tony), Bonnie (Bob), Derek, Dexter (Della) and Travis (Inga). Also 17 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and several stepchildren and step grandchildren, as well as a large circle of close friends and extended family.
She was treated exceptionally well by the staff at Roddickton House and wanted thanks expressed to owner John Decker, manager Adrienne Weir and the wonderful staff. Special thanks are extended to staff at Curtis Memorial Hospital, and the White Bay Central Health Center. The family is appreciative of the excellent care she received from the professional staff at both sites.
Finally, a special thank you to all the people in Mom's life who treated her with so much kindness, caring and respect over the years. She spoke of you all quite often to her family.
Funeral services were entrusted to Kerry M. Fillatres funeral homes, St. Anthony and Roddickton, Lee Nippard Funeral Director.