Shirley Legree

LEGREE, L. Shirley (née McIlroy) died on March 30, 2023, aged 86 years, with her husband of sixty-six years, Bud, by her side. Shirley was born on October 09, 1936, in Regina, Saskatchewan; she was the ninth of ten children in the tight-knit McIlroy family. Near the end of the Great Depression, friends of the McIlroys sent news and praise about the splendour of living on the west coast of British Columbia and encouraged them to migrate west. In the early 1940’s the family moved west and settled in New Westminster, BC. It was here, in the Royal City, that the precocious little Shirley would grow up, fall in love, and eventually make a home and a family of her own.

In the mid 1950’s, on a night out with friends, while dancing at the Hollywood Bowl in New Westminster, she met Vernon (Bud) Legree, who reputedly had to work hard to distinguish himself from other suitors who were equally struck by her bright smile, exuberance, and beauty. Perseverance paid off, and Bud and Shirley were married in Portland, Oregon, on December 28, 1956. They settled into Fraser Heights area of New Westminster, where they raised their three sons, Michael, Todd, and Budd. Shirley’s innate nurturing skills made her roles as a mother and homemaker a perfect family fit.

Throughout her life, Shirley actively volunteered at nursing homes, took her children and grandchildren to their sporting events, and participated in book clubs. While never a master at them, she loved to play both badminton and golf. Shirley even conquered both her fear of flying, by venturing to Amsterdam and Ireland, and fear of elevators, by literally getting trapped in one for four hours in a L.A. hotel. A life well lived, Shirl will famously be remembered for her generous heart and "open door policy" as she welcomed all into her home for a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, a good chat, and a lot of laughter. The kitchen table was the heart of her home, a gathering place where secrets were revealed, and life was planned. It was here where she created the family's most requested favourites: Angelfood cakes, Butter Tarts and barbequed ribs. Most of all, she will be remembered for her passionate loyalty and love for her husband of 66 years, Bud; her sons Mike, Todd, and Budd; and her daughters-in-law Robin and Julie; her two grandchildren Brandon and Colton; and her other surviving family and life-long friends.

The Legree family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the amazing residential community in which Shirley and Bud live, Governors Court, without whose residents' support, homemade meals, and encouragement they could not have managed these last few months without. The family would also like to extend their appreciation to Dr. Yu and staff at BC Cancer Surrey, the Palliative Care team at Fraser Health, and the nursing staff at Laurel Place Hospice. The Legrees will be having a private dinner to celebrate Shirley’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to those causes for which Shirley was passionate: Canuck Place Children's Hospice (https://www.canuckplace.org), BC Alzheimer Society (https://alzheimer.ca/bc/en), and the Union Gospel Mission (https://ugm.ca)