Shirley Patricia McLachlin, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, teacher, counsellor, mentor, and friend passed away peacefully at home on July 29th, 2017. She leaves behind a story that spans decades and crosses continents. Shirley has lived lifetimes enough for volumes of captivating adventure.

Shirley grew up in Copper Cliff, Ontario, where some of her favourite pastimes were climbing trees and standing on her head. Her thirst for knowledge began at an early age and inspired her to study psychology, geography, and education, all of which reflected her love for teaching and helping others. In her early twenties, she began her lifelong intimate friendship with Jesus and grew ever deeper in her love and devotion to God. In turn, God led her to her loving husband, Doug McLachlin, whom she married on September 23, 1989. Together, they had two daughters, Ruth (August 20, 1990) and Esther (May 25, 1995) — women who share their mother’s ability to lead, learn, love, and laugh. Her daughters would eventually introduce Shirley and Doug to the delight of having sons through Zac Nelson and Liam Galway. Shirley’s heart for Asia guided her along with her husband and family through Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing where, as a teacher she instilled confidence, determination, and a love for learning in her talented students. After spending her life dreaming of becoming a psychotherapist, Shirley completed her fourth degree and spent her last year counselling people surrounded by the tranquil river and rustling trees outside her comforting home office.

Shirley’s life demonstrates the power of a generous heart and resilient spirit. Never content to adhere to convention, Shirley boldly forged her own path, overcoming obstacles and carrying others with her along the way. Her life is an inspiration to those who knew her — a shining reminder that we can blaze our own trails. An underdog’s advocate, Shirley seized every opportunity to raise the voices of those who at times went unheard. From prisons to disaster zones to interrupting fistfights, Shirley saw the world’s pain and responded with her compassionate intuition and zeal for justice. Her fearless nature also brought her on notorious escapades, including dodging bears, rolling out of jeeps, tenting in the Yukon, riding vehicle rooftops, and plunging into freezing cold water...as long as there was a sauna nearby. She brought laughter, colour, comfort, determination, and depth with her as she zigzagged across the globe. Shirley truly embodied ‘sisu’, the Finnish word for a spirit of ever growing energy and perseverance.

Shirley’s story has not yet been completed, for many more pages and chapters have yet to be written. Her legacy continues through the lives of those she loved throughout her life.

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Remembering Shirley

If you’re available, please join us for a celebration of Shirley’s life on August 5th in Brampton, Ontario.

For those who are overseas or may be unable to attend, we invite you to plant a tree in honour of Shirley’s memory. We also welcome videos, photos, and letters to be sent through the memorial website.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Shirley’s name to International China Concern, an organization dedicated to supporting China’s abandoned and disabled children. http://www.chinaconcern.org/donate