Shirley Anne Lee

Shirley Anne Lee passed away peacefully on September 28, 2021 in Saanich Peninsula Hospital in the company of family. She was born February 18, 1935. She became affectionately known as “Grandy” by many of her family, friends, and loved ones. Shirley is survived by her children Bob (Susan), Gord (Janice), and Christine (Bob); her eight grandchildren, Kyla, Matthew (Vanessa), Melissa (Marc), Nikita (Jake), Megan (Mike), Adam (Natalie), Samantha (Sam), and Alana (Dan); and her three great-grandchildren, Everly, Aurora, and Brody; her brother George, her brother-in-law Barrie Lee and sister-in-law Christine Taylor, and her many cherished nieces and nephews. Five grand dogs also need to be mentioned as they were a great part of Shirley's life.

Shirley lived her entire life by Elk Lake, spending the last sixty-six years in the same home. Her family ran a seed farm in the Brookleigh Road area. She was raised with and developed strong principles: from encouraging the local children to attend Sunday school with the promise of baked goods, to playing an instrumental role in the establishment of Elk Lake Church - the Church By The Lake.

On September 3, 1955, Shirley married Bob Lee. Her dream - espoused in her high school yearbook - was to get married and raise a family, and she and Bob were married at the church she helped to create. After graduation, she worked at the District of Saanich, leaving in 1956 when her first son Bob was born. Shirley and Bob had a well-planned family: three children, three years apart, each roughly nine months after their anniversary. Not long passed before Shirley and Bob had eight grandchildren. From there, Shirley’s love of family blossomed into creating and maintaining family traditions. From hosting Sunday dinners, to Good Friday Easter hikes up Bear Hill, no holiday or tradition went uncelebrated.

Ask any of Grandy’s family members and they will likely tell you favourite memories of a Hallowe’en party and bonfire, a Thanksgiving turkey with all the fixings, a New Year’s Day lamb roast with a play organized by the grandchildren, or Christmas mornings with a second visit from Santa for the children and grandchildren, or a Sunday dinner in the backyard with Jell-o for dessert. She celebrated the birthdays of each child, grandchild, and their partners, and would bake a special cake for each of them every year. Popular favourites included the giant cookie and whipped Jell-o.

Grandy loved to cook for her family. She made baked goods for the holidays, nuts and bolts, canned fruits from the trees in the backyard, her famous dill pickles, and so much more. Until his passing in 2019, she would make Bob his lunch every day. Grandy lived to care for those around her, and she was the most generous person imaginable.

Shirley's favourite drinks were ginger beer and Lady Grey Tea, although she would make Girls’ Tea for her grandchildren (served with a teaspoon of love). Over the years she hosted many tea parties and luncheons with family and friends. Her favourite song was “You Are My Sunshine” which she would sing to loved ones when they were blue.

Shirley was a collector. She had numerous sets of china, dancing ladies, decorations for every holiday, egg cups, Wade Red Rose Tea figurines, Beanie Babies, and numerous other treasures. She and Bob enjoyed boating and camping trips, and in their lifetime had the opportunity to travel to California (Disneyland), and took several trips to Reno, Arizona, Nashville, Oregon, Hawaii, and Washington State. They also enjoyed taking trips with family to Gabriola Island. In her spare time, Grandy enjoyed gardening. She and Bob created an impressive garden of flowers, strawberries, vegetables, and fruit trees.

Shirley did not want a service - probably because she couldn’t host it herself! In her memory, please pour a cup of Lady Grey Tea or a glass of ginger beer. Our family extends a heartfelt thank you to the medical staff at Saanich Peninsula Hospital for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of First Memorial Funeral Services 4725 Falaise Drive, Victoria, British Columbia. Phone 250-658-5244.