Obituary of Shirley Ella McGovern

"For everything there is a season; a time for birth a time for death". Shirley Ella McGovern's season of birth and death was January. Born to Doug and Ethel (Mahaney) DeBow on January 24, 1932, her earthly mosaic was completed January 28, 2018; to begin anew in the next world where Thomas, soul mate of 60 years, and son John await. It is a time for us to mourn; a time for them to dance. Mom, in collaboration with fellow cherished cohorts, stitched a lifetime of accrued skills with needle and thread into meticulous vibrant spreads of timeless art we know as quilts. Quilting is a comradery of artistic expression; unique in that the destiny of finished product is to be given, not sold. Quilting personified describes those who are practical, imaginative, intuitive, thoughtful, giving, and generous. And Shirley was all of those. Mom spent countless hours volunteering with dozens of different church and hospital organizations throughout her life. She believed in the power of prayer but understood the need for firm action. She marched in demonstrations, she sewed for cancer patients, she volunteered at hospitals, she sponsored war refugees, and she gave freely of her time and treasure to those in need. Throughout her life she was skater, a runner, a hiker, a camper, a traveller, a friend, a companion, a mother, an aunt, a sister, a grandmother, a great grandmother and a friend to all who would have her friendship. She was absolutely devoted to her family and friends. All she did was rooted in unwavering belief in the Creator, and unwavering faith in a new life when her earthly needle and threads were finally set aside. Survived by children Pat, Judy (Mikki), Mark (Roland), and Ethel (Tom); siblings Pearl (Bill), Norma, Ann, and Bill; sisters in law Val, Faye, and Andrea; grandchildren Tommy (Jolene), Lauren (Bryant), Julia (Jon), Melissa (Kelly), Carrie (Seb), Patrick, and Jillian; great grandchildren Jayden, Riley, and Gracelyn; daughter in law Bev. Predeceased by her husband Tom, son John, granddaughter Erin, brother Doug, sisters Bette and Patsy, brothers in law Bert, Charlie, Bernie, Jim, and Joe; and sisters in law Edna, Mary, and Connie. Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424) with visiting on Thursday, February 1, 2018 from 2:00 - 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from Stella Maris Church, 201 Bayside Drive, Saint John on Friday, February 2, 2018 at 12:00 Noon. Interment will take place immediately following the Mass at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. A reception will follow the interment at Stella Maris church hall. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the Cathedral Restoration Village Revitalization Projects or Bobby’s Hospice.