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Life was way too short for Mom! Shirley passed away peacefully in Quesnel at age 92, leaving behind family and friends who will be eternally grateful for the mark she made. Predeceased by her husband, Chester Cotter, 1996, and sister Garda Johnstone, 2014, she will be missed by her children Rick Cotter, Joel (Kate), Jan (Michael) Kidston, Doug (Ashley), 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. We’ll see you later Gramma!

Shirley moved from Calgary to Vancouver after her father Chester Elliott passed away at a young age. Vancouver was the place of long lasting friendships, interests in vintage cars, music and animals. As part of the War effort she packed parachutes, and riveted Warbirds at YVR. Chester and Shirley were married in 1951, and moved to paradise in Bachelor Bay near Whytecliff Park.

She loved the romance of the Cariboo, so moving to Quesnel in 1966 with Chester’s work suited her perfectly. Shirley was involved in and believed in the Quesnel Community. She loved the people, the four seasoned country, travel, pottery and painting, singing with Sweet Adelines, and shopping for Seniors, and of course this great place for kids to grow up. Frequent visits to the Green Lake cabin were a necessity of life.

Home was for family, entertaining and culinary delights, but home was for Shirley’s animal friends as well. She truly loved animals and this was passed on. Thanks Mom! Donkeys, dogs, mules and horses, peacocks, bees, cats and more; you name it, they were all welcome.

Shirley loved adventure, going down the unknown road. She could have been anything, but she was something else!

A memorial service for Shirley will take place on Tuesday, December 8th at 1 pm. At Clayton’s Funeral Chapel in Quesnel. A reception tea will follow at the Anglican Church Hall.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honour Shirley’s memory by way of donation may do so to the Quesnel Community Foundation: quesnelfoundation.ca, or to the Turtle Valley Donkey Refuge Society: turtlevalleydonkeyrefuge.com