Shirlene Hazel Young

Shirlene passed away surrounded by family on December 12, 2021 after a courageous three year battle with multiple system atrophy (MSA), a rare neurological disease. She and her identical twin sister Margaret were born at home in South River, Newfoundland, to the late George and Hazel Hussey on July 11, 1949, her father’s birthday. She graduated high school from Ascension Collegiate in Bay Roberts and earned a certificate in bookkeeping from community college in Carbonear, Newfoundland. She then met future husband Dave in 1966.

She worked at Scotiabank and Oland’s Brewery before becoming a fulltime homemaker. She was a dedicated mother while providing unrelenting support for her husband’s education and career.

Shirlene created a warm and loving home for one and all (including the many special family pets) with her wonderful meals, skilled craftwork - including MANY knitted Christmas stockings, and much love.

She embodied a spirit of generosity: volunteering at hospital gift shops and the SPCA, and making regular blood donations. She was kind, energetic, smart, beautiful, funny, and feisty. She developed a legion of lifelong friends everywhere she went.

Before losing her mobility to her illness, she enjoyed physical activity, particularly softball when younger, but playing tennis throughout. She loved to jive – the faster the better. She always gave her best effort.

She will be missed by all, but particularly her family – loving husband of 51 years, David; children Krista (Ben Clark), and Neil (Rachelle); grandchildren Ethan, Brian, Jacob, and Mary-Elle; sisters Phyllis (Edsel Russell) and Margaret (Bill Hatfield) and their families Robin (Andrew Moses), Mark (Heather Phillips) and Dawn (Chauncey Kennedy); brother-in-law John Young (Helena) and the extended Hussey and Young families.

Thank you to the nurses and physicians of the Movement Disorder Clinic at the Halifax Infirmary, the PATH team and unit 5A at the VG Hospital, particularly Drs. Burton and Pestell, and nurse Kathleen for their care in the last week. Family doctor Alexandra Vihvelin provided compassionate and dedicated care throughout Shirlene’s illness.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a registered charity, such as the SPCA, Defeat MSA Canada, or a foundation promoting research and education on Lyme Disease.

Visitation will occur at J. A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax on December 21, 2021 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Please bring full proof of vaccination and government ID. Masks are mandatory. A celebration of life is being planned