Shirley-Ann Desrosiers

As a child she was creative, inquisitive, and nurturing. She moved with her family from Ontario to Langford, British Columbia when she was 10. During her youth she attended schools in Langford. She was always helpful to her parents and caring to her five siblings, Earl, Harvie, Lyle, Lori, and Garnet, all whom she loved dearly.

Shirley aspired to be a professional barber, which was groundbreaking in the early 60s. Shirley moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to learn the trade. Saskatchewan was a comfortable home away from home as it was her parents birth province and she had many favourite Aunts, Uncles and cousins there. She returned to the Victoria area when she earned her barber certification. While Shirley eventually stopped working as a barber because of the standing stress, she continued to cut hair for family and friends throughout her life.

Shirley made friends easily everywhere she went because she was funny, thoughtful, and caring. Early friends would be lifelong friends, they were Jean Martyn, Shannon Boivin and Angie Green. She valued their times together immensely.

Shirley was an original costume and trophy creator, gamer before it was a thing, and event planner extraordinaire. She was a good natured jokester, prankster and all round fun-loving person that everyone enjoyed being around.

By nature, Shirley was a great organizer and people person. Those traits helped her to pursue a career as a librarian in the British Columbia Provincial Archives. That was where she would be selected by the provincial government to accompany, then Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau at official provincial centenary celebrations in 1971.

Shirley would continue as a provincial librarian her entire working career in the BC Ministries of Lands, Parks and Housing; Environment; and Parks. The latter was likely her favourite as she loved the natural and rich history of BC.

In her personal pursuits, she enjoyed playing piano, camping and the outdoors, and varied recreational activities including: softball, curling, billiards, darts, Blongo, and numerous other games. She also enjoyed a good Karaoke challenge.

In 1974 she met navyman and former Olympic boxer Frederick Clyne “Des” Desrosiers, and began her most treasured life’s journey. They married soon after and she became step-mom to Pam, Lori, Dean, and Traci. It was a role she cherished.

Shirley understood she was marrying Des and becoming a mom for his four children. She gave so much love to Pam, Lori, Dean and Traci that many people never realized she was their step-mom. And, to "the kids," visits to their father's house became "going to see dad and Shirl." She made every visit special and never missed a birthday or special event. No child was loved more. She built a relationship with their mother Lynne and helped raise the children.

The young couple lived for a short time in Edmonton, as Des was in the Canadian Armed Forces. Their brief time away convinced them both it was more important to return closer to family than for Des to serve out his entire naval career.

Shirley returned to her library post with BC Parks, and became the “go to” person supporting provincial park planners and administrators in pursuit of system expansion and defence, sometimes during unfavourable political climates. She grew a small collection of journals and books into a vast, well-staffed resource that was utilized by professionals, province and Canada-wide, during her tenure. The Parks Library withstood budget cuts and frequent Ministry reorganizations routinely because of Shirley’s reliability and tenacity.

They lived near Victoria at Colwood, then the Gorge, then Cedar Hill, and eventually they bought a hobby farm across from Thetis Lake Regional Park. They named it High-8. It was a perfect hideaway and gave them much pleasure.

Shirley and Des complimented each other and shared a wonderful life together. They made many happy memories with friends and family at their log cabin located at Canim Lake in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region, near Wells Gray Provincial Park. Everyone grew closer fishing, hunting, boating, and playing Yahtzee.

After they both retired, they moved to Kelowna, Des passed away in 2004, but Shirley remained in Kelowna close to their adult children and their families she loved so much.

Her children and her sister Lori were stalwart advocates for her care during a lengthy hospital stay. We all thank the Kelowna General Hospital staff, especially those in ICU, she encountered during her fight for life. They were compassionate and pro-active, and for that we are most grateful, because she deserved the best.

Shirley passed away unexpectedly on May 26, 2023, having fiercely battled challenging health issues.

She will be missed by her siblings: Harvie Brydon, Lyle Brydon, Lori Brydon Featherstone and Garnet Brydon and their families: Earl’s wife Ruth and their children Joanne (Chris), Kirk and Scott (Marie-Andree’) and their familiy; Harvie’s children John and Jesse (Pam); Lyle; Lori, son Adam (Melanie) and family; and Garnet his wife Tammy and daughter Reenie.

⁃ her step-children and their families: Pam’s husband Sam, and their children Nathan (Amanda), Devin, Liam (Sarah) and Maya (Ben); Lori (former husband Kari) and her children Kevin (Sylvana) and Karli (Justin); Dean’s wife Wendy, their children Derrick (Mehak) and Alex (Peyton); and Traci’s husband Mark (and former husband Kevin), their children Nicholas, James, Kurtis, Matthew, Hayley, and Brydon. Plus, her great grandchildren Kael, Gavin, Ender, Bhodi, Everleigh, and Erik.

⁃ her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and their families, lifelong friends and their families, the children for whom she was a godparent, forever in their hearts.

She will also be missed by many former work colleagues, A.N.A.F ( (Army, Navy, Airforce) Club members, cabin neighbours, neighbour (Lynn Rorke), and other friends and extended family. She was an engaged adopted Aunt to many of her friends’ kids and she loved them immensely.

Shirley was genuinely eager to hear everyone’s aspirations or challenges, and to offer encouragement and help whenever she could. She was noted for remembering everything and everyone.

They say a family is like a village and it takes a village to succeed. Shirley’s village was large, adopted, and inclusive. She was the glue that kept it together. Shirley touched us all and made us all smile. Shirley took an active interest in all our lives and enriched us all. We are better for having shared in the love, joy and wisdom she happily and unconditionally gave us.

A tribute of Shirley’s life will take place on Saturday, May 11th, at Rutland Centennial Hall, 215 Shepherd Rd, Kelowna, BC, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided following the program.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you make a donation to Kelowna General Hospital Foundation “thanks to the Intensive Care Unit in memory of Shirley-Ann Desrosiers or to your local chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation or your local chapter of the Canadian Lung Association. All such memorials would be appreciated by Shirley.