Shirley Loretta was welcomed into the world by her parents Alphonse and Madeline (Reinhart) Schmidt on March 24,1933 in Carrick Township. She joined her older brother Ken, and the Schmidt family continued to grow with the addition of her siblings Jim, Janet, Hugh, Audrey, Harry, Pat, and JoAnn.
Following high school, Shirley began working at the Land Registry Office in Walkerton. During this time in her life, she met her future husband, Gerald Vandervoort. They were married at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Carlsruhe in 1957. After they were married, they moved to Hanover and welcomed their first child Kathy, quickly followed by Frank and Paul, and then Jeff a few years later. The Vandervoort family moved a few times while the children were young. From Hanover, they moved to Chesley and then to a property in Elderslie Township four miles north of town.
Shirley spent most of her career working at the Loucks & Loucks law firm in Chesley. She worked there for 29 years, juggling motherhood and work, retiring when she was 65.
Shirley was very involved in the community. She was an active member of the Catholic Women’s League at St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church in Chesley and was also involved with the Northern Regional chapter. Shirley was also a member of the Chesley Hospital Auxiliary and the Chesley Seniors Club. After her retirement, Shirley developed a love for both lawn and carpet bowling. She enjoyed being out every week to bowl with friends. She was an avid card player, with Solo being her game of choice. Shirley could often be found working in her flower and vegetable gardens, which she took great pride in. When the work was done outside, she would pass her time doing crosswords or watching the Toronto Blue Jays and the Toronto Raptors. During the cold winter months, she enjoyed watching curling. She had a curious mind, was always engaged in current events, and never missed the 11 p.m. evening news.
Shirley was an amazing lady who took pride in her family. She was a model mother and grandmother who was always willing and happy to help out wherever she could. A favourite excursion with the grandchildren was taking them fishing at the river by the Chesley park. Of course, she was the one who had to put on the worms and throw the fish back in.
Everyone knew her door was always open, and she enjoyed the times visiting with her family and friends. Sunday nights were a favourite time to visit when you could always count on a delicious roast dinner with all the trimmings.
In January 2020, Shirley sold her home and moved back into Chesley. Finally, she didn’t have to worry about the winter snow. In June of 2022, as her health declined, she moved to Brucelea Haven in Walkerton. She passed away there on Sunday, February 26, 2023, in her 90th year.
Many thanks to the team at Brucelea Haven for their compassion and excellent care.
Shirley will be dearly missed by all of us. Her legacy will now live on in the stories and memories which we all hold onto.
Loving mother of Kathleen of Thornhill, Frank (Andrea) of Kanata, Paul (Susan) of Waterloo, and Jeff (Bobbi Jo) of Chesley. Cherished grandmother of Graham, Anna, Maggie, Max, Kalvin, Kyle, Dylan, Kirstyn and Brett. Beloved sister of Ken Schmidt, Janet Schumacher, Hugh (Doreen) Schmidt, Audrey (Tony) Rotherham, Harry Schmidt, Pat Diehl, and JoAnn (Andy) Halliday. Dear sister-in-law of Cora Lanigan, Peter Vandervoort, Jim (Rita) Vandervoort, Anne (Donald) McLean, Bernadette McCormick and Judy (Lorne) McEwen. Predeceased by her husband Gerald, her parents Alphonse and Madeline (Reinhart) Schmidt, her brother Jim and many special sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home on Friday, March 3, 2023, from 6 – 8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church, Chesley, on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 11 a.m. Spring interment in Chesley Cemetery.
As expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Chesley Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice.
