Obituary of Shirley Ann Della Rankin

RANKIN, Shirley Ann Della (nee McLean) – Age 80, of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, formerly of Halifax, NS, died peacefully surrounded by her family at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater at 10:55 pm on March 1, 2017. Born December 8, 1936 in Pictou, NS, she is predeceased by her parents, John P (Jack) and Florence Velma McLean of Pictou, NS, her brother Robert McLean, and sister Audrey McNabb. Shirley was a nurse after graduating from the Grace Maternity Hospital in Halifax, NS. Her great passion in life was her husband Leroy; her childhood sweetheart and husband of 59 years. She spent her life caring for and loving him, and building a home of love and strength for Leroy and their children. Her favourite place was the cottage at Waterside where she watched generations of her family grow in the love she had built. A lifelong passion for Shirley was curling, where she was instrumental to coaching champions and becoming a provincial champion herself. She loved dogs, helping others, and laughing with her family at dinners at Scott and Tricia's. Shirley was the light of many lives and is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, Leroy Rankin from Bridgewater; her son Scott and wife Patricia of Bridgewater, NS; two daughters, Beth (Ken) Bowen of Meridian, ID, and Heather of Calgary, AB; granddaughters Dacia (Justin) of Mahone Bay and Kelsey of San Francisco, CA; grandson Gabriel Rankin of Calgary, AB; great grandsons Ollie and Eli of Mahone Bay; sister Marilyn Jones of Phoenix, AZ and 7 nieces and 3 nephews. Cremation will take place under the direction of Sweeny's Funeral Home, Bridgewater and then will be taken home to be with her beloved Leroy. No visitation by family request. A private family service will be held at a later date. Shirley was a large supporter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society in the hopes of assisting her son Scott. She would be forever grateful if you donated to this society in her memory to help those suffering from this disease. On-line condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com or by messaging condolences@sweenysfuneralhome.com.