Obituary of Shirley Eileen Isobelle Gleadall

We are sad to share that our wonderful, indomitable mother, Shirley Eileen Isobelle Gleadall (nee Player) has passed from this world on May 10^th, 2022. She was 92 years old.

She will be remembered for her stories, her insightfulness, her creativity, and her ability to make every person she met feel important and valued.

Shirley was encyclopedic in her knowledge of the history of Coldwater and surrounding area. Her aptitude for retention of our connections, our familial relationships, and people’s names was unequaled, and we marveled at her ability to retain and retrieve this information and the ensuing stories she shared.

For over 70 years, she gave generously to the community - in the classroom, through the Women’s Institute, 4H Club, Committee of Adjustment, Coldwater Music Festival, catering events with Ruth Hoyle, or tours at the Coldwater Mill.

Shirley believed success bred more success and her efforts in her volunteer activities helped people and organizations achieve meaningful results. She has been recognized many times for her community work, including most recently 2016 Citizen of the Year SEGBAY Chamber of Commerce with acknowledgements from other jurisdictions.

She was a lifetime member of the Women’s Institute and held many roles within the local districts as well as at the Provincial levels in the 1990s.

Her impact in the classroom – from 1949 to 1974 in a full-time capacity and more than 15 years afterwards as a supply teacher – is legendary. She was creative in her planning and could adapt to the needs and capabilities of her students, helping pupils excel, build confidence, and learn new skills. Student success and break through moments caused such excitement and joy for her.

She was a trail blazer, a progressive representative for women of her generation, and challenged established practices and stated her opinion fearlessly.

Mostly, she will be missed as a fun, irreverent, sometimes naughty, always relevant, engaging, and intellectual person. We will miss her laugh, her insights, and the strength of her presence.

Shirley was the third child of Marietta and Lionel Player of Elmvale, ON. She is predeceased by her husband Jim in 2007 and her son Bill (Laurie) in 2016, her brothers Leonard and William, and infant grandson Kevin. She is survived by her cherished sister, Edith and is lovingly remembered by her daughter Jane (Harry) and son Jim (Kari). Shirley was devoted to her extended family including grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and the Draper first cousins. Special loving relationships endure with Matthew, Christopher (Eden), Kyle (Alyisha), Orson, Troy and Damian.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, May 29^th at the Coldwater United Church, with visitation from 12:30 to 2:00, and a memorial service commencing at 2:00. A reception will follow at the Matchedash Community Heritage Centre where an outdoor tented venue will be set up.

Donations may be made to The Coldwater Mill, or the Mariposa House Hospice, Severn, or a charity of your choice and may be made through the funeral home.