Shirley Florence Plavins

Shirley Florence Plavins was born on December 23, 1934 and passed away on March 8, 2022, in her 88th year. Shirley is survived by her children Robert (Joan), Peter (Melissa), and Diana (Jamie Ross). She will be missed by her grandchildren Alice, Avery, Asher, Jaiden, Jordan, Roanne and Sophia. Shirley is predeceased by her beloved husband Karl, and her parents Arthur and Rose.

Shirley was born in England and grew up in London during the war. She was an only child. She came to Canada as a young adult where she met her husband Karl. They were married for 50 years prior to his death in 2015. She worked various office jobs in Toronto before having children. She returned to school in the 80's then held various retail jobs, finally retiring from Zellers after working there many years. She was a member of many organizations throughout the years as well as holding some officer positions: The Scarborough Horticultural Society, Ontario Geranium and Pelargonium Society, Toronto Cactus and Succulent Society, Stamp Club, Library Book Club, Knotty Knitters, and Probus. She volunteered with these same organizations and others. Her biggest passion was gardening and she was also an avid reader and knitter. She continued to do all 3 up until her death.

She enjoyed travel throughout her life, seeing parts of Europe as a young adult, road trips in Canada and the US, bus trips with her gardening friends, Caribbean trips with Karl and each of her kids and their families at various times. She travelled to Istanbul and Paris with Diana, and to Manchester and Belfast to visit Peter while he was working overseas.

After being widowed in 2015 she continued to enjoy her various organizations, hobbies and travelling. She lived in her own home right up until she died; a fact of which she was very proud. Special thanks to her homecare PSW Aruna for being such a wonderful helper and friend to Mum. Thanks also to the staff on the Cardiac Care Unit at Scarborough Centenary Hospital, especially Dr. Szabla and nurse Nicole. They were so wonderful with mum and with our family in her final days.

A funeral service will be held for Shirley on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 11 am at Giffen-Mack Funeral Home located at 4115 Lawrence Avenue East, Scarborough, ON. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.