RAMEY-BERGMAN, Shirley Rose was born December 4, 1939 in Bridgewater and her early home was in Chelsie, Lunenburg County, but most of her life was spent in Halifax and Bedford. She is survived by her husband Rev. Neil Bergman, two step sons, Andrew and Karl Bergman of Eugene, Oregon (who were each able to spend a quality week with her recently), four grandchildren: Emma, Katie, Kaine and Ariana Uma Bergman; two brothers-in-law Mark and Reid of Alberta and three sisters-in-law Cathy and Susan of Alberta and Peggy Smith of Halifax; three god-daughters, Suzanne Borovsky and Sheri Wright of Halifax County, and Leah Bergman of Innisfree, Alberta; special cousins that she loved babysitting and one special cousin in the country, Vivian Lenethen of Greenfield (who turned 100 last month); plus Nita Noel (our kitty) who arrived on New Year’s Eve.
She was pre-deceased by her parents, Spurgeon and Dorothy (Keddy) Ramey, her sister Mona (who taught French at QEH where Shirley also graduated), her brother-in-law, Grant Bergman, uncles: Kenneth Ramey, Emerson Keddy, Norman Keddy (all HRM), Melvin Keddy and Willis Keddy (both California), and Murray Keddy (Bridgewater). Aunts: Verna (Reid) Gibbons and Alma (B.D.) Stevens (Halifax). She was also pre-deceased by Mic Mac, Muffin, Missy, and Cali Noel.
Shirley graduated from Dalhousie University (with many classes at Kings where she had a special Czech professor) and from the Maritime School of Social Work (MSW). She started her career with the Province’s Department of Community Services where she was soon tasked with driving around F.R. MacKinnon, the Deputy Minister and the Father of modern social work in Nova Scotia. She worked first out of the Brunswick Street office and then moved to Dartmouth where she became senior casework supervisor of Child Welfare and Rehabilitation. As a young professional woman, she was the first single woman to be granted a mortgage from the Royal Bank in Dartmouth. But her first love was being Sunday School superintendent at North Street Christian Church, trained by her Aunt Verna. She continued to teach Sunday school at West Gore Disciple Church and Wyndholme Christian Church. And in social work she most missed picking up the babies that were taken into care. The cousins got to help with that in the days before seatbelts. A co-supervisor has written: “Many staff remember the wonderful pot luck luncheons recognizing special occasions and holidays. Shirley had a great love for the latest fashion and was always recognized as a classy lady.”
Shirley and Neil were married on August 2, 1986 at St. Timothy Disciples-United Church in Sackville. They then embarked on their first ministry together at West Gore for 11 years. Shirley retired from social work in the early 90s after 31 years, and Shirley was able to devote more time to the children in West Gore and later Wyndholme. They also travelled many places and made many trips to Indianapolis where sister Mona lived who was almost completely handicapped with MS. Then Shirley had to take her own journey of severe handicap after a hospitalization in 2017. Shirley rose to the challenge just like Mona and astounded some of the doctors that she improved so much after discharge. We did not have to use the care givers after 6 months.
We met and have adopted Sujin, Sangin Lee, and Soyun while we were in an apartment while Neil renovated the house that her uncle Emerson Keddy had built. They are family too, and we have a grandchild here as well as the four in Oregon.
Stories may continue during visitation at Snow’s Funeral Home on Valentine’s Day from 2-4 and 6-8. Shirley would want to thank Dr. M. Trager and Dr. H Babatolu for taking such good care of her. Her service will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday the 15th at Deepwater Church, where Shirley was baptized, and at 1 p.m. on Thursday in West Gore Disciple Church opposite where she will be buried. Melissa Boyd is officiating at Deepwater and Mike Poworonznyk at West Gore.
Parking is limited at Deepwater Church, North and Fuller Terrace, even more than when Neil was pastor there, so some may want to park at a bus terminal and travel from there by bus or taxi.
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