Shirley Gadbois

Shirley Gadbois (nee Urquhart) was born on December 12th, 1936 in Maxville, Ontario where she spent much of her youth. She married Dalton Gadbois (of Apple Hill, Ontario) in 1956. Their first of seven children soon followed. The twins, Sharon and Sherry, were born in January 1958. Trent followed in February of 1959. Next came Shelley in 1961 and Tracy in 1963. Shannon was born in 1966, and in 1968 the family moved to Rosedale Terrace in Cornwall Township. Troy, the youngest of the family, was born in 1972.

Through the years mom and dad were busy with the kids’ activities and sports. Mom and dad were active volunteers in the SD&G Highland Dance Association and they helped to found the St. Andrews Highland Dance Association. While dad worked and helped to run the Gadbois-Branch Hockey School, mom was ‘holding the fort’ and sewing. She started by making and selling doll clothes and clothing for all of the kids, and she then moved on to highland dance outfits for local dancers. She also made dresses for weddings for several former highland dancers and some family members.

After the children started getting married and grandchildren started arriving, mom continued to make clothes. Many of the grandkids got homemade pj’s, Halloween costumes, and special blankies. Mom loved seeing her children and grandchildren (both human and pets) and she remembered every birthday and every story she was told. She knew how to make each of us feel unique and important.

Throughout the many years of their marriage, mom and dad faced many ups and downs. Most recently, several cancer diagnoses in the family created a new challenge for us all. Despite these challenges, mom continued to be the loving, concerned, good-humoured person she always was. Unfortunately, she experienced a brief illness that took her from us on Monday, June 6, 2016 at the age of 79.

Although she left us much too soon, she taught us important lessons that will keep her memory alive. We were lucky to have her in our lives until her 80th year. Above all things, she was a model of gentle kindness, forgiveness, and generosity. She put her loved ones ahead of herself and did so without bitterness and without hesitation. Her laughter, warmth, and love are gifts she gave us all and we will carry them with us for the remainder of our lives.

Mom was predeceased by her father and her loving mother, Olive Carther. She was also predeceased by her young sister Ana, and her beloved brothers Kenneth, Bennett, and Robert. Left to mourn her absence but to live in her strong memory are Dalton, her husband for almost 60 years, her children Sherry, Sharon, Trent (Debbie), Shelley (Larry), Tracy (Lise), Shannon (Dean), Troy (Lisa), and her grandchildren Tristan, Samantha, Trent, Liane, Madison, Gabrielle, Teisha, Marshall, Annilia, and Elzie.

Thank you to all the caring individuals who supported our family during this difficult loss through your presence, prayers, and words of encouragement and remembrance. Thank you also to Dr. Westergaard and the staff at Cornwall Community Hospital for your compassion and professionalism. Thank you to Father Kelvin for your ongoing support of our family. Your presence and your words at her funeral meant a great deal to all of us.

GADBOIS, Shirley (nee Urquhart) - passed away at the Cornwall Community Hospital on June 6, 2016 following a brief illness. She was surrounded by family and the love of her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Dalton Gadbois and her 7 children, Sharon, Sherry, Trent (Debbie), Shelley (Larry), Tracy (Lise), Shannon (Dean), Troy (Lisa), and her grandchildren Trent, Tristan, Marshall, Liane, Samantha, Madison, Gabrielle, Teisha, Annilia, and Elzie. Resting at Lahaie & Sullivan Cornwall Funeral Homes, West Branch, 20 Seventh Street West (613-932-8482) from 7 p.m. Thursday. Funeral Friday, June 10, 2016 for Mass of Christian Burial in Blessed Sacrament Church at 11 a.m. Interment, Notre Dame Cemetery. The family will be in attendance from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 9 a.m. until time of Funeral on Friday. As expressions of sympathy, Memorial Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. Messages of condolences may be left at www.lahaiesullivan.ca