Shirley Ann was born July 25, 1937 to Alice Coretta (nee O’Neil) and Cecil “Elmer” Cherry in Stratford, Ontario. She was the second oldest of ten children: Mary, Shirley, Bill, Margaret, Harold, Linda, George, Bob, Cliff and Douglas. Shirley learned at a very young age how to care for children. As she was one of the eldest in her birth family, Shirley looked after her siblings many evenings and weekends over the years. In fact, she became a mother figure to many of them. This became great training for when she was to receive the gift of her own child.
As kids, the Cherry’s had lots of fun. They would play, and play, until the last embers of daylight died out. Memories also included tobogganing at the Toronto Golf Course, skating on the Etobicoke Creek, and swimming in Lake Ontario.
Shirley attended school at Sir Adam Beck Public School in Etobicoke, Franklin Horner Jr. High School and New Toronto High School. Upon finishing school, Shirley worked in a grocery store and then as a clerk for the Municipality of Mississauga.
One night while at a dance in Etobicoke, Shirley met Donald Arthur Goodayle. A short while later the couple were married on April 5, 1958. Their early years together were happy times. Their doors were always open to family and friends; where they shared many a laugh beside the pool.
In 1978, while still in Oakville, a little bundle of joy was born to Shirley and Don, Darren. Within a couple of years, Don was looking for a new adventure – a business he could own and run. So in the early 80’s Don and Shirley, along with Shirley’s sister Mary and her husband Nelson purchased the bar and hotel in Chesley. Within a couple of years, Don and Shirley bought out Mary and Nelson, the couple working in all aspects of the business together. The little family lived upstairs at the hotel for a short time and then moved into the home that Darren still lives in. For twenty years, Don and Shirley served Chesley and outlying communities.
The family business challenged Shirley at times. She loved her husband and followed his dream, but truth be told she really disliked the bar and hotel business. She had left a very comfortable life in Oakville to come to a place that took a tremendous amount of work, time, and responsibility. However, this did not prevent her from putting in 110% and always doing what was best for her family.
When not working tremendously hard, Shirley loved to watch horse racing on TV, especially the Kentucky Derby. This racing event presented Shirley with the opportunity to bring family together and have a party. Did Shirley have anything riding on the race? Absolutely not, she just enjoyed the event for what it was, a race, and the comradery with friends and family.
Shirley also loved to watch the Maple Leafs and Blue Jays on TV. And this wasn’t the extent of Shirley’s passions. She loved driving, often she would emphatically states, “Pull over Don, I am driving.” If the truth be known, Shirley also liked to go fast! Nevertheless, it was a sad time when Shirley’s eyesight deteriorated enough that she had to give up her license. Shirley also loved her dogs, especially her German Shepherds. However, once Darren came along, the dog had to go. Travelling was also something else that went by the wayside once Darren came along and once the bar and hotel had been purchased. They had travelled extensively in earlier years, but their new life reduced their vacationing.
The greatest love of Shirley’s life was by far her family. She was very family orientated and loved unconditionally. She never raised a hand to anyone but she did have “the look”. And that is all it took, “the look!” At times, Shirley could be a force to be reckoned with. She could talk up a storm and was very strong willed. Shirley was also honest to a fault. She always did the right thing and was most certainly never judgemental.
Sadly enough, one thing Shirley was not honest about, and understandably so, was her dementia. For years she denied its existence and Don compensated, and cared, for her. For at least five or six years Shirley lived with the consequences of this horrible disease before going into Hanover Care Centre, which was about six years ago. While in the Chesley Hospital, just prior to her move to Hanover, was the last time that Darren had a real good conversation with his Mom and best friend. She reassured him that she was okay. Her dementia worsened from there.
Shirley was close to her father, as he was a strong and influential person in her life. She also had strong ties with her siblings. Her relationship with Darren was quite incredible. She was like a best friend to him and the couple were able to discuss anything together.
Released from her suffering, Shirley Ann (Cherry) Goodayle of Chesley, passed away at Hanover Care Centre on Saturday, October 22, 2016 in her 80th year.
Beloved mother and best friend of Darren and his wife Marilyn of Chesley and grandmother of Tristan and Morgan. Shirley will be sadly missed by her siblings, Mary Worth and Bob Cherry, both of Mississauga, Bill (Nancy) Cherry of Tillsonburg, Linda (George) McRae of Oakville, Harold (Sylvia) Cherry of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Cliff of Chesley as well as numerous nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.
Shirley was predeceased by her husband Donald (2011), sister Margaret Cherry, brothers George and Doug Cherry and her parents, Elmer and Alice (O’Neil) Cherry.
A memorial service celebrating Shirley’s life will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 1 p.m. with visitation beginning at 12 noon.
Memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society, a disease that affected Shirley greatly, would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
