Shirley Ann Bens

September 12, 1947 – May 24, 2026

“To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die.”

It is with much love and many wonderful memories that we mourn the passing of Shirley Ann Bens. Shirley was born in Edmonton, Alberta and moved with her family to Surrey, BC in 1956. She graduated from St. Ann’s Academy in New Westminster and was a charter student at SFU, enrolling at the new university in 1965. She became a teacher in School District 43 (Coquitlam) where she taught for over 34 years. She earned her M.A. (Ed) Degree in 1981. She completed a year-long exchange teaching in Australia in 1990 and caught the travel bug! In 1997, Shirley was awarded Educator of the Year by the National High School Association for her innovation in library use of computer technology. Only 7 awards were given in all of North America that year. In 1998, she received the prestigious Roy C. Hill Award for work developing the K-12 Library Webpage.

Retirement, in 2003, found Shirley more involved in developing her passion for poetry and photography. She continued to travel extensively, capturing many of her experiences in amazing photographs – Antarctica, the Arctic, South Africa, the Holy Land, Norway, Greenland, Iceland and, of course, Australia where the urge to travel began. Shirley has published 6 books of reflective, deeply spiritual poetry and photographs, and 2 tabletop books featuring her photographic travels.

When Shirley made a friend, it was for life. She had a way of listening to her friends, opening herself to their experiences and providing compassion and understanding. She was there when they needed her and actively worked on maintaining those friendships. As a friend recently said, “Shirley was a wonderful gift of faith, friendship and love.”

Amazingly, these many accomplishments were achieved in the face of life challenges such as severe rheumatoid arthritis. Her most recent battle was with lung and bone cancer. Shirley’s incredible courage, determination and dignity, in the face of pain and multiple surgeries, will forever remain a constant inspiration to her family and friends.

Shirley will be greatly missed by her sisters Elaine, Marilynn (Ken) and her brother Gary, and her much loved nieces Tania, Lisa, Rhonda, Jessica and nephew Tony and several great-nieces and nephews. Shirley also leaves behind many long-time and cherished friends. She has now gone to join her parents Betty and Tony and her brother Kenneth.

The family wants to thank the many caregivers supporting her in her final months: BC Cancer in Surrey; Cancer Driver Volunteers; Palliative Care at Surrey Memorial Hospital; the staff and volunteers at McKenney Creek Hospice in Maple Ridge. Especially during the last five months of her care, you have all provided incredible and compassionate support to help Shirley, ease her pain, and provide her comfort.

Funeral services will be held at St. Clare of Assisi Church, 2888 Delahaye Drive, Coquitlam on Tuesday, June 9th at 11:00 am. There will also be a vigil service June 8th at 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.