Obituary of Shirley Elaine Richardson

RICHARDSON, Shirley Elaine (Hirtle), aged 93, Bridgewater.

It is with immeasurable sadness that family of Shirley Richardson announce her passing on April 7^th, 2024, at Bridgewater South Shore Regional Hospital. Shirley passed with the blessings of peace of heart and mind.

Shirley was born in Wileville, on March 24, 1931, to parents Hugh and Mildred Hirtle. Mom married Lawrence Ray Richardson and a family of four children soon followed. These are the ones now left behind to cope with the loss of her presence in their lives. Shirley is survived by her daughters Barbara Conrad (Lynwood) of Bridgewater, Peggy Richardson of Chelsea, and sons Kevin Richardson (Bridgewater) and Andrew Richardson (Jane Whynot) of Lower Branch. Our mother’s greatest pride was her eight grandchildren. Katy & Adam, Krystal & Troy, Cole & Kara, Tyler & Leeanne, all of whom she would proudly regale her friends of their accomplishments and be spoken of in tones of the sincerest love. Shirley was also graced with six great grandchildren who were the absolute sunshine of her days. Keria & Jaxson, Mason & Sadie, and her treasured twins Kori & Ella, each bringing such joy to her world. She truly was a proud family matriarch. Shirley is also survived by her sisters Mona Diggins (Bridgewater), Catherine Wynn (Kentville), sister-in-law Dorothy Hirtle (New Ross), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Shirley was predeceased by her loving husband Larry; parents Hugh and Mildred; three siblings in infancy, brothers Donald Hirtle, Douglas Hirtle, Vernon Hirtle, Vance Hirtle, Rex Hirtle, & sister Audrey Harlow.

Shirley was a banker at heart and was usually found immersed in budgets, accounts, loans, and all facets of the bank industry with careers associated with CIBC and Scotiabank. That involvement with numbers continued on with her work at the Nova Scotia Assessment Authority, Lunenburg Region until her retirement. Retirement did not last long as she soon was to join the NS Health Authority with the patient switchboard/reception duties at the SSRH. Her later years were taken with outdoor activities such as gardening and tending to her much loved Bridgewater home. Shirley enjoyed annual trips to the family cottages on Molega and Mush A Mush. And then there was her most valued time of sharing a meal with her grandchildren and great grand children. Those special times never failed to make her heart light and overjoyed.

Mom, to her four children, was considered the loving and essential glue of the family. She was not perfect, as none of us are, her intentions were of good nature. Mom’s main motivation in life was to ensure that her family had full bellies, clean clothes, felt the joy of love, and that we acted in manner that would properly represent the family name. And in spite of her best efforts on the last count, we four still turned out to be the best forms of ourselves. Mom grew to appreciate this, or that is our sincerest hope.

Mom’s departure leaves a huge void in our lives. To use her own words spoken by her in those final hours, Mom left us … “Happy”.

Funeral services are under the direction of C.F. Sweeny Funeral Home, 35 York Street, Bridgewater.  At Mom’s instruction, this is to be a private family graveside service with those she loved the most. Trusted family friend, the Reverend Willis Ott officiating. There will be no public visitation and no flowers by request. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St John’s Lutheran Church of Mahone Bay or the South Shore Regional Health Services Foundation.  Online condolences and donations may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.