Shirley Macdougall (nee Langdon) passed away peacefully in Toronto on December 4, 2025 in her 97th year. She is survived by her children, Laura and Colin (Elena), grandchildren and a great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. Born in Mount Forest Ontario, she is predeceased by her parents, Bertha (nee Connell) and George Langdon, and siblings Alan Langdon, Violet Ortwein, and Hazel Hladki. Neil her husband, passed away in 2021 after 64 years of adventures together.

As a young woman, Shirley moved to Toronto and worked as a passenger agent having the unenviable job of phoning people to tell them of delayed or changed flights. She loved the people, the industry and the travel opportunities it offered.

In 1957, she and a girlfriend planned to visit Europe and when her girlfriend backed out to get married, she went on her own, spending months travelling Europe and meeting people through hostels and traveling clubs until her money ran out. Neil missed her and sent her a telegram asking her to marry him. Shortly after returning, she agreed to marry Neil and they built an adventure filled life together.

With a one-year-old infant and another on the way, Shirley and Neil took flying lessons which connected them to a community of aviation lovers that she has been a part of ever since. A lifetime member of the 99s, an international organization of women pilots, she volunteered in many roles over the years including organizing an international conference in Toronto. There was no role too small. She painted lines on runways, volunteered at booths representing the organization, raised funds, and aided with poker runs. Informally, she took on the role of recruitment with enthusiasm and told every woman she met, who was interested in aviation, to join the 99s. She offered them rides and made them feel welcome. In 2021, she was awarded the Governor’s Award for her passion, enthusiasm and commitment to the organization.

Other organizations also benefited from her time and efforts. She flew for Operation Skywatch, providing environmental surveillance from the air. When the ROM recognized her 27 years of commitment with an Ontario Volunteer Service Award, we joked that they likely didn’t keep records for the first 25!

Neil and Shirley travelled together to more than 76 countries. In their retirement years, they wintered in South Padre Island, Texas where they enjoyed bird watching, tennis and the warm and friendly people. They joined the Civil Air Patrol Texas Squadron of the US Air Force Auxiliary, participated in many search and rescue missions over 23 years, and provided disaster relief after the Northridge earthquake in LA. She retired with the rank of major and was awarded the Civil Air Patrol Award of Merit.

Despite her accomplishments, Shirley wasn’t motivated by awards or recognition. She was modest beyond measure, a gracious host, a wonderful homemaker, a dedicated mother, loving partner, and avid volunteer. Most of all, Shirley was a people person. She wouldn’t hesitate to strike up a conversation with strangers while standing in line and she would be the first to invite the new neighbours over for tea to meet the neighbours. Until her last hours, she was what she has always been, loving, gracious, and appreciative.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at York Funeral Centre, 160 Beecroft Road, North York, on Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Service at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations made to Leaside Presbyterian Church, The Owl Foundation or Sprint Senior Care would be appreciated.