SHIRLEY ISABEL MERCER

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SHIRLEY ISABEL MERCER

On November 29, 2025, just six months shy of her 100th birthday, Shirley Isabel Mercer passed into the presence of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Shirley was born on June 9, 1926 at the Old Grace Hospital in Winnipeg. Her parents and brother, Robert (Bob) were born in Ireland and had immigrated to Canada in 1923. Bob was thrilled to have a baby sister and exclaimed for all to hear, “Isn’t she beautiful!” They enjoyed each other immensely through the years and kept in daily contact until Bob passed away at age 104 this fall.

Shirley graduated from Gordon Bell High School, and received her Diploma of Education in 1949, and her Bachelor of Education in 1958. She loved teaching, starting out in Phys Ed and eventually transitioning to English and Social Studies. Shirley particularly enjoyed the challenge of Junior High students and kept them on their toes with required memorization of classic poetry. Not only would the students learn a poem, they would hear the history behind each one. In later years, when she would meet a grown student on the street, they would break into a recitation from years ago. Nonsense was not tolerated in Shirley’s classroom – she demanded the best of each student and took great pride when they succeeded.

Shirley’s Christian faith was central to her life. In 1944, she was present at Bethesda Church’s inaugural service, though, at just 18, too young to vote. She loved to sing and quickly joined the choir where she made life-long friends. Shirley served as President of the Ladies Fellowship for many years and was a much-valued prayer partner of the Awana children’s program. She quietly sponsored several children at Manitoba Pioneer Camp and was always interested in helping young ones come to know the Lord. Shirley was intelligent, inquisitive and fully engaged in the world around her. No Bethesda AGM was complete until Shirley had explanations for every unusual item in the Annual Reports.

Life was not always easy for Shirley. In 1962, she suffered a badly broken leg, followed by the unexpected deaths of both her parents within six weeks. She started drinking to help her sleep and then fell into a downward spiral with alcohol. On September 23, 1974, Shirley ended up at Grace Hospital, unconscious. She realized that she had hit rock bottom and prayed that God would release her from the grip of her addiction. She woke up two hours later to discover that her prayer had been answered. That date was her “dry date.” She often recounted that she was born at the Old Grace Hospital and reborn at the New Grace Hospital.

Throughout her life, Shirley travelled extensively with her dear friend, Naomi Hersom. They drove the gravel Alaska highway, admired icebergs in Newfoundland, celebrated New Year’s Eve in Singapore, feasted in Australia, sunbathed in Hawaii; the list goes on. California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Norway, Sweden, France, Switzerland, Italy, UK, Turkey, Greece, Holland, Germany, Denmark. When asked what her favourite place was, she would immediately choose Albufeira, a beautiful town in the south of Portugal. Occasionally Harvey Hersom and others would join Shirley and Naomi’s jaunts around the globe.

Shirley lived a long, full and courageous life but, in the end, yearned to be with her parents, brother and nephew and her Saviour, Jesus Christ. Her many friends and loved ones will miss her fervor and great zest for life.

Shirley was a generous supporter of Union Gospel Mission, Bethesda Church, the Salvation Army, and the Grace Hospital Foundation. For those who wish, donations may be made in her name.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday December 6, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue. Following the burial, a memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Bethesda Church, 1350 Grant Avenue.

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home

204-885-9715

Tribute Link: www.chapellawn.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 03, 2025