Mrs. Shirley Ann Mary Puirko Johnson

Shirley Johnson was a natural born leader whose winning presence allowed her to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, she possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. She had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and she was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Shirley always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Shirley was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

Shirley was born on July 12, 1938, in Whitby, Ontario. Her parents were Stephen and Ann Puirko. Shirley was raised in Whitby and Oshawa. Always able to express herself well, Shirley possessed strong interpersonal skills. She was optimistic in her outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in her communication. Armed with a great wit, Shirley was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

Blessed with a balanced attitude, Shirley was able to relate well with others. Her occasional role as family mediator gave her the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Shirley was raised with one brother, William "Bill". Shirley had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and very driven individual, Shirley was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. Her curious nature was spurred by her ability to maximize her personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. She was first rate with facts and had an excellent memory. She attended St. Bernard's Separate Elementary School and Whitby High School. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

Friends and acquaintances found Shirley an easy woman to get to know, and those close to her would often praise her open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Shirley was uncomplicated and straightforward in her relationships, which allowed her to accept people for what they were. Later in life, she became friends with Rita Koenen, Grace Lenahan, Verna Bumbacco - Gallagher, Yutta Izdeski, Diane Sears, John Burns, Marjorie Hollister, Bev Gierman, Nova King, Peggy Mueller, Ethel Keats and Pat Bridgeman.

On February 14, 1959, Shirley exchanged wedding vows with Lucious Johnson at the Justice of the Peace of Niagara Falls, Ontario. Shirley was a loving wife to Lucious's, and he was charmed by her beauty and gift of being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Shirley was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.

Very much like a kid herself, Shirley identified with the inquisitive and creative side of her children’s personalities. She was able to direct her energy and spontaneity towards helping her children acquire added common sense skills. Shirley was blessed with three children, two sons, Lucious II and James Stephen, and one daughter Lori Ann aka "Krystal". They were also blessed with five grandchildren Lucious III, Krystal aka "Eku Esosa Ashanti", Christopher aka "Rocky", Jessica and Michael, six great-grandchildren Ahriyana "Puddins", Aires, Lucious IV, James, Addae, and Brooklyn.

Shirley was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around her. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Shirley’s strengths included being able to think on her feet. She could be a leader who sought impact for her decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Shirley was able to positively manipulate situations to motivate others in order to get a task completed. She was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Shirley could multi-task, and she was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing her to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in her work environment. Her primary occupation was as a Shipping and Receiving Manager. She was employed with Chrysler Trim Plant Canada in Ajax, Ontario for 33 years. She started as an Industrial Sewer, Quality Control Inspector and finished her career in Shipping and Receiving.

Shirley enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. She had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that she did. She put this creativity toward all of her pastimes. Her favorite pursuits were gardening (she loved her hanging baskets of flowers she bought each year for her front porch), reading, traveling, camping, listening to Frank Sinatra Songs, teaching her children/grandchildren how to swim and her Corgi Dogs.

Because she liked to take risks, Shirley was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. She was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. Recreational sports included Curling, Swimming, Skiing and playing Crib. Shirley was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity.

Shirley was a gifted problem solver who worked hard to help accomplish group goals. This skill made her a wonderful asset to the various groups and organizations to which she belonged. Always matter-of-fact about what needed to be done, Shirley worked steadily to meet any organization’s goals. Throughout her later years, Shirley was an active member of the Kirby Ski Club, Oshawa Curling Club, a member of the March of Dimes, sponsor of a rescued Elephant in Africa named Ambo and sponsor of Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Shirley held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to her. She was raised a Roman Catholic and Baptized at St. John the Evangelist Church by Reverend Hickey. Later she followed the Christian Faith of the Liberty Pentecostal Church in Bowmanville. During that time, she participated in Bible Studies and Seniors Jubilier's 55 Plus while attending.

Shirley’s natural leadership qualities placed her in consideration for public recognition, earning her accolades for her many and varied efforts throughout her life. Some of her most prestigious awards included a personal letter from the Queen of England regarding their mutual love of Corgi Dogs, retire acknowledgment of 33 years of service, write up in the Oshawa Times due to the Chrysler Union, signed picture of Jay Leno (she was supposed to be on his show with her friend Ethel Keats as she is an awarding winning world class Moose Calling Expert and hunter at 80 years old!).

Travel and vacations were experiences that Shirley truly enjoyed. She preferred to seek out excitement wherever she went and she was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” She was willing to leave her plans open and flexible, just in case, something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included skiing in Switzerland, Austria, and France, Mt. Tremblant, St. Anne's Quebec, Collingwood, Smugglers Notch, Sunshine Valley, Alberta. She traveled across Canada to Victoria Island, BC, New Brunswick, PEI and Nova Scotia. She also went to Orlando Florida to Walt Disney World, Vermont, Aruba, Jamaica, a West Indies Cruise with her friend Pat Bridgeman, Tennessee, USA with her friend Rita, Arizona to visit the grandkids and numerous times to Detroit Michigan to pick up Sean & Krystal and the grandkids to visit their dad in Canada after his spinal cord injury.

Shirley was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Shirley’s favorites were her Corgi dogs. She had "Korgi" the Corgi for 7 years, Oscar for 10 years, Ginger for 5 years and Goldie is still surviving. They were her best friends for years.

When Shirley’s retirement finally came on January 1, 1998, she was well prepared. She used logical analysis of her retirement options in order to ensure her retirement would be fulfilling. Still, she was able to easily adapt to possible changes and enjoyed just having fun and being relaxed. In retirement, she found new pleasure in taking computer classes, road trips with friends, family gathering, the well being of her fur babies!

Shirley passed away from heart failure at home, as she wanted, on February 3, 2017. She is survived by her 3 children (Lucious & Lauren Johnson II, James Stephen & Yolanda Johnson, Lori Ann & Roger Anderson aka (Krystal Johnson), her five grandchildren Lucious Sean & Tiffany Johnson III, Krystal Johnson aka (Ekua Esosa Ashanti) & James Jones, Christopher James Barr aka (Rocky), Jessica Rose Forestell and Michael William Donald Forestell, and six great-grandchildren Ahriyana Danielle (Puddins) Johnson, Aires Sana Johnson, Lucious Amaure IV, James Anthony Jones II, Addae Zion Jones and Brooklyn-Rose Lindsell of British Columbia. Services were held at Oshawa Funeral Home.

Shirley was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, she relied on her senses to increase her involvement and awareness of others. She was always able to provide amusing repartee to her friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Shirley had a theme song written about her, it might well have been “I Did It My Way” by Frank Sinatra one of her many favorite blues/jazz recording artists. She enjoyed her life and the experience of living it in everything she did. This is how everyone will remember Shirley Johnson.

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JOHNSON, Shirley Ann Mary

July 12th, 1938 – February 3rd, 2017

(Retired 30 year employee of Chrysler Trim Plant – Ajax, ON)

Passed away suddenly, at her home on Friday, February 3rd, 2017 at the age of 78. Shirley leaves behind her brother William “Bill” Purko, her 2 sons, Lou Johnson and his girlfriend Lauren, James Johnson and his wife Yolanda, and her daughter Krystal Anderson and her husband Roger. Loving grandmother to 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Visitation will be held at OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West (905-721-1234) on Sunday, February 19th from 4:00 p.m. until time of Funeral Service in the Chapel at 5:00 p.m. Memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.oshawafuneralhome.com

Be still and know that I am God. Psalms 46:10

Fear not for I am with you. Isaiah 41:10