Shirley Audrey Mitchell (b. 1942) died April 15, 2025 of a heart attack. It was a surprise. No one knew her heart was weak.
Shirley started life in Toronto, moved with her family to Montreal at the age of one, and returned to Toronto at 13. She graduated from Bishop Strachan School in 1961 and the University of Western Ontario in 1964.
Shirley began her career at a brokerage firm. Her first performance review criticized how she dusted her male boss’ desk. Sad that her university degree did not prepared her for Dusting the Boss’ Desk, Shirley left the brokerage and became a teacher.
She taught at Eastern High School of Commerce and at West Toronto Collegiate Institute. She was a member of the executive of District 15, Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation.
Shirley retired thirty-four years later.
She enjoyed retirement. She joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra Volunteer Committee, a joyful group, full of fun and friends.
Shirley golfed, curled, practiced yoga and played bridge, lots of bridge, at the Bayview Golf and Country Club.
She delighted in her property, digging and planting and swimming and reading and sitting in the sun, although recently doctor-compelled to use sunscreen.
Shirley loved her cats, the most recent, the beautiful Puddytat, now lives with a friend.
Shirley’s life partners, Jim Martin and Don Osborne predeceased her.
She is survived by her sister, Heather Mitchell, by cousins in the Sheppard and Nairn families, and by many many friends.
A private interment will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. A celebration of life will be in a warmer month. For details, please add names and addresses to the Guestbook.
Please do not send flowers. Donations to commemorate Shirley would be much appreciated by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (https://my.tso.ca/donate/contribute1),
or the Scarborough Village Players Theatre (https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?contribution=tscar).