Shirley Anne Card Qualter

Shirley Qualter (Card), born September 26, 1929 in Masterton, New Zealand, died November 2, 2017 in Kitchener. Predeceased by husband of 57 years Terry, parents John A. Card and Phyllis Card (Nash), sister Pat Williams and brothers-in-law Ivor Williams and Richard Curry. Survived by children; Karen (Glenn) Norman, Matthew, Paul, and Adam (Jennifer O'Connor), grandchildren; Greg Norman, Kevin Qualter, Jonathan Qualter, sister Judith Curry and brother John F. Card (Allison).

Raised in Masterton, New Zealand and on the family sheep farm, Shirley was educated at Sacred Heart Convent School and at Victoria College in Wellington. As newlyweds, Shirley and Terry set sail for a six month trip to London. Six months turned into six years. In 1956, when Terry vowed to put his newly earned PhD to use by accepting the first academic posting offered, Shirley followed; first to United College in Winnipeg and two years latter, to the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Finally in 1960, the family found a permanent home in Kitchener and the newly established Arts Faculty of the University of Waterloo. Shirley became an active member of the community, volunteering with the Arthritis Society and the Canadian Federation of University Women.

In their spare time, Shirley and Terry spent their lives travelling the world. From their early years together travelling through post war Europe on a tandem bicycle to a safari in Ghambia and a canoe trip up the Orinoco River, there were few countries they did not visit. Together they collected artwork from their travels and developed a taste for the local cuisine and wine.

A special thank-you goes out to the staff at the Village of Winston Park who cared for Shirley for the past 9 years, and especially, for the extraordinary care and compassion during the last weeks of her life.

Cremation has taken place. A visitation followed by a short dedication will take place in the Sweeney Room at the Village of Winston Park, 695 Block Line Road, Kitchener, on Thursday, November 9th, 2017. Visitation 3:30 to 5:30 pm, dedication and refreshments to follow. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Kitchener Waterloo Food Bank or the Kitchener House of Friendship would be appreciated.