Shirley Ann O’Neill, 65

It is with deepest sorrow that the family of Shirley Ann O’Neill announce her passing. Shirley died peacefully at Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 with her family at her side.
She was born in Rainy River on April 2, 1941 to Clarence and Lorraine Bingleman, one of five children. Shirley received the majority of her education attending both Alexandria Public School and Rainy River High School. She later attended nursing school in Thunder Bay and graduated as a Registered Nursing Assistant. She was very proud of the fact that as a 13 year old she was hired as a life guard at Hannam Park in Rainy River, a job she held for multiple seasons.
Shirley met her soul-mate Gordon O’Neill and they married in June of 1957, a marriage that lasted until Gordon’s death in 1996. Most of Shirley’s career was spent nursing at McKellar Hospital in Thunder Bay. She later worked in the school system as an educational assistant and advanced to teaching sign language to deaf children. She loved to work with children and showed this love in her personal life.
Shirley and Gordon adopted five children. They also raised two boys, Paul and Jim Hudyma, from two year olds to adulthood. There were also many foster children in their lives on a shorter term. Shirley’s summer passion was camping, an activity that she enjoyed all of her life. Curling was her winter passion which she was later forced to abandon because of her health. But she enjoyed knitting and bingo all year around.
Shirley is survived by her five children, daughters Coreen (Ed) Brown of Pinewood and Cheryl O’Neill of Thunder Bay, sons Tim (Dawn) of Devlin, Kevin (Judy) of Ottawa and Edward of Thunder Bay. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren who will serve as honourary pallbearers at Shirley’s memorial service. Also surviving are one sister, Patricia Anderson (Charlie Pronovost) of Nolalu, Ont. and two brothers Robert (Hope) of Cloud Bay, Ont. and William (Sally) of Nipigon, Ont. as well as several nieces and nephews.
Shirley was predeceased by her husband Gordon (1996), her mother Lorraine Bingleman (1984), her father Clarence Bingleman (1993) and her sister Beverly Edinger (1991).
A celebration of Shirley’s life was held at Knox United Church in Rainy River, Ontario on Saturday, September 16, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Barb Miller officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Canadian Arthritis Society, the Canadian Liver Foundation or to the charity of your own choice, c/o Rainy River Funeral Home, Box 694, Rainy River, Ontario P0W 1L0
38