Shirley was born in Chesley on July 28, 1936 to parents Russell and Marguerite (Rita)(Mink) Harvie. She was soon joined by younger sisters Joyce (1937) and Elizabeth (1939). When the girls were very young, the Harvies purchased a farm on the southeast corner of town and soon called it home. Shirley attended both public and high school in Chesley. Following high school, she began working at Heinmiller General Store in Chesley.
It was during this time that Shirley was introduced to her future husband, Edgar John Fischer. Edgar was a friend of Bob Ford’s, and Shirley and Joyce went on many dates together. When the boys were over, the lights would flick at 11 p.m., a gentle signal from Rita informing the boys it was time to head home. Shirley and Edgar were married on October 5, 1957 at Chesley Baptist Church. The newlyweds called Hanover home to be closer to Edgar’s work. The Fischer family soon began to grow with the arrival of the boys, Dennis (1959), Dwayne (1961) and Daryl (1969).
In 1962, Shirley and Edgar purchased the farm across the road from her parents on the outskirts of Chesley from Milton Shouldice. The Fischers quickly settled in and began mix farming on the 200 acre parcel of land. In addition to caring for her young family, Shirley worked side-by-side with Edgar on the farm. She often joked that if she had a penny for every bale she handled over the years, she would be a very rich woman! No matter how busy life was on the farm, Edgar and the boys always enjoyed a big meal at suppertime, prepared by Shirley’s loving hands. When the boys got a little older Shirley did some cleaning for residents and businesses in Chesley. She also spent some time working at the local clothing store, Top Drawer.
Shirley was a fabulous cook. The boys were often the benefactors of this talent and always enjoyed her baking especially her famous peanut butter chocolate chip cookies as well as her rice krispies. Shirley’s staple, however, was her roast beef dinners, which was a favourite to many. Family holiday gatherings were always held at Shirley’s and she was insistent that she prepare a hot meal. On evenings when she wasn’t preparing a meal, she often liked to spoil herself with Chinese food. She also enjoyed her coffee and was known to always have a coffee pot on.…when stopping by for a visit. She always said, “Everyone is welcome as long as they take us as we are”. She also had a saying ”No Fuss, No Muss, Just Us”. She also liked her Coke, which tasted even a bit better with a touch of whisky! In recent years, the radio and TV often kept Shirley company throughout the day. She also loved watching her beloved Toronto Maple Leafs.
In 1984, Shirley and Edgar sold the farm and moved across the road, purchasing her childhood home from her mother. It was during this time that Shirley became a grandmother, a role she cherished. In the years that followed she was blessed with a total of nine grandchildren and later five great-grandchildren. She enjoyed a special relationship with all of them and treasured all her time with them. She did her fair share of running them around as well, as many winters saw seven of them all playing hockey. Grandma was always there, whether it was in an arena or on a ball diamond, showing her love and support. When they were not playing hockey at the rink, grandma’s kitchen was the next best thing and in true grandma fashion, she let them enjoy themselves with few rules. Grandma could also be seen rollerblading on the highway in front of the house with the grandkids.
Shirley was a kind, caring, and supportive woman who always put the needs of others before her own. In addition to being the matriarch of the family, Shirley enjoyed a very good and close relationship with her sisters. This love and adoration was shared with her nieces and nephews as well. Shirley’s family was her world, and she would do anything to support them.
Sadly, Edgar died in August 2003. It was during difficult times like this that Shirley relied heavily on her strong faith. She knew her Bible well and was a devoted member of Chesley Baptist Church. At church, she was active with Ladies Aid and Mission Circle and later on The Board of Managers. She also assisted with music regularly on Sundays often splitting time playing the piano with her sister Elizabeth. Even in recent years, when her health began to fail her, Daryl would pick her up at Parkview Manor every Sunday morning and she would attend worship with him. Her church family was truly an extension of her own. Shirley joined her beloved Edgar and entered fully into the presence of her Lord and Saviour on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at the age of 84.
Loving mother of Dennis (Brenda Ann) of R.R. #2 Elmwood, Dwayne (Karen), and Daryl, all of Chesley. Cherished grandmother of Pam, Jason (Lacy), Matthew (Alicia), Amanda (Nick), Brandon, Brady (Alicia), Marshall, Dwayne Jr. (Sariahlynne) and Dalton and great-grandmother of Emmett, Leah, Landon, Tenley and Adeline. Shirley will be dearly missed by her sister Elizabeth (Herb) McGilveary of R.R. #1 Chesley and brother-in-law Bob Ford, sister-in-law Lorraine Yandt, both of Hanover. She was predeceased by her husband Edgar (2003), sister Joyce Ford and her parents Russell and Marguerite (Rita)(Mink) Harvie.
Private family services were held with spring inurnment to follow in Chesley Cemetery.
Memorial donations to Chesley Baptist Church would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Very sorry for your loss. Remembering Shirley attending hockey and baseball games and always nice to see her. Thinking of you at this time.
Elizabeth & Herb, and family, I am so sorry to hear about Shirley’s passing. We were close friends in high school. Because of distance we did not see each other often over the years, but I did think of her, Joyce and Elizabeth. Take care all of you.
I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of this wonderful woman. My deepest sympathy is extended to Dennis and Brenda Ann and the entire family. May she Rest in Peace.
Denis & Brenda and extended family. We send our condolences, our thoughts and prayers are. With you Stu &Jane Radke
Dennis, Brenda Ann and to the extended families we send our deepest condolences.
Sending my sympathy to the family!
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was a great lady and will be missed.
“Treasure your memories.”
Sending you our love and prayers.
Our sincerest sympathies. Your mother/granchildren/sister/aunt will live on forever in your heart and mind.
Shirley was a very kind person. She always made us feel like family. She had a wonderful relationship with my Mom (Grandma Becky), as they shared grandchildren (Lacy & Jason) and a great grandchild (Tenley). They would always visit over coffee while hulling strawberries for Shirley’s jam. When Brett went off to college Shirley presented him with a hand tied quilt. Thank you Shirley for enriching our lives and including us in your family. Love, Dodey, Carole, Brett and Thea.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Cherish the memories!
Our deepest sympathy to your families at this time.
So sorry to hear of Shirley passing…She was an amazing woman who will be missed dearly
Sincere sympathy to Shirley’s family. Our thoughts are with all of you. Cherish the memories of your time spent with her.
Deepest sympathy to all.
Shirley was a kind and caring lady and I enjoyed our conversations when we would meet on the street.
She is reunited with her dear Edgar.
RIP Shirley
You will be missed dearly
Our sincere condolences to the Fischer family on Shirley’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Fischer family at this difficult time. Shirley was a wonderful lady and will be missed by all that knew her.
So sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. She was a wonderful lady and will be dearly missed by many. Our thought are with you.
We are so sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this difficult time.
Dennis, Brenda Ann & family, Our sincere sympathy as you mourn Shirley’s passing. She was a wonderful lady and made me smile many times when we were all growing up. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry to hear about your mom, she was a very lovely lady, my thoughts and prayers are with your family!!
To the Fischer Family, we were so sorry to hear about Shirley’s passing. Sending our deepest sympathies.
Our thoughts and prayers are with The Fischer family during this difficult time
We extend our sincere sympathy, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Our sincere condolences to the entire Fisher Family! As well to the family of Lib and Herb McGilveary . Keep the memories close at heart.
Dennis, Brenda Ann and family: Because we care, we hope that the love of friends will see you through these difficult days as you remember your mother and grandmother. May she rest in peace. Cherish your happy memories. Love always. Dave and Jean
Deepest sympathies to the entire Fischer Family. Shirley was a wonderful when we were growing up, a true Elmwood Smoke fan and a Hockey Grandma! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Herb and Lib hugs to you and your family! Enjoy your memories❤️
So sorry for your loss…. our sincere condolences
So sorry … Shirley babysat with my children years ago !
RIP Shirley you will be missed!
For the family … please accept my sincere condolences!
Dennis,Brenda Ann and family. We are saddened to hear of your mother and grandmothers passing. Our thoughts are with your at this sad time
With my sincere sympathy to all of her family in the loss of Shirley.
Shirley was a good friend to me when I was an inexperienced, young pastor at Chesley Baptist Church. She taught me many good lessons about church life and modelled a faithfulness and reliability that is so often neglected today. She also took care of our oldest while Susan was delivering our next! Family like.
It was a joy to see her last winter and enjoy a little fellowship. Now she knows the far greater joy of seeing Jesus and enjoying fellowship with Him. Far, far better.
We will be forever thankful for Edgar and Shirley… and even Uncle. 🙂
Our dearest sympathies to all of you.
So sorry to hear about Shirley. sending love and prayers to her family .we will miss her
Wonderful gentle Lady
Deepest sympathy and Blessings to your entire family
To the Fischer sending our sympathy at this difficult time. Our prayers are with you.
Our deepest sympathy to the Fischer/Harvie families.
It was a privilege to have known Shirley and my heartfelt condolences go out to the entire family that mourn her loss.
So sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing.
She will be missed by so many. A loving
mother and grandmother. Rest in peace.
Thinking of all of you during this difficult time.
Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you.💕
Our thoughts are with you.
My sympathy to the Family.
I am so sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing.
So sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. My condolences go out to the whole Fischer/Harvie family.
Sending our sincere sympathies to the whole family. Shirley was a wonderful lady who was always gentle and kind. She is remembered fondly. Cathy and Gary Lund
Our deepest sympathy is extended to Dennis & Brenda Ann and the entire family on the loss of your dear Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. We are so very sorry to hear this sad very sad news. Rest in Peace Shirley.
Dennis, Brenda-Ann, Dwayne, Karen, Daryl and families, please accept our sincere condolences for your loss.
Sending our sympathy to the family during this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lib and family, so sorry for your loss of your sister Shirley. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our most heartfelt sympathies on your loss. We enjoyed many ballgames alongside Shirley, what a wonderful lady! Always so proud of her kids & grandkids. She will be missed by many.