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Shirley Thomlinson

11/4/2013

15 Comments

 
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Shirley Thomlinson; born November 9, 1947, passed away Sunday morning, November 3, 2013.

In May 2009 Shirley came to visit the Whitehorse Church of the Nazarene.  She seemed to find a connection there that had been lost somewhere along the way.  She attended regularly; made many friends; and most importantly, reconnected with her Lord and Saviour.  She soon became a full and enthusiastic member of the congregation.

Just sitting in the pews on Sunday mornings was not her idea of church life.  She participated in virtually every Bible Study group that there was; whether it was on Sunday mornings (which she attended regularly) Wednesday afternoons or evenings, or the monthly Ladies Bible Study.  She was always there.  She had a thirst to know God. She learned, she loved, and she longed for even more!

Even though her own health was not the greatest, she made the effort to volunteer in the Whitehorse Church of the Nazarene Daycare.   She would come in three mornings a week and prepare the kids morning snack as well as their lunch.  She loved her "job" but even more so, she loved the hugs from the kids.  Every one of them would come to her and greet her in the mornings.  However, her commitment to the daycare didn't end there.  Often times she would use her own limited resources to supply the daycare with special treats for the kids.  It was not unusual to see her come to the daycare with some special groceries for the children {for example, take a close look at the green basket in the photo below... it is full of extra's she is bringing for the daycare kids).  She gave and she gave and she gave.  When a Daycare Ministry Committee was formed; she was there.  When the church was trying to figure out how to plan for it's 50th anniversary celebrations; she was there.

Shirley became a very integral part of the life and ministry of the church.  It was not just something she "did" on Sunday's, it was a part of her life.  She developed many friends, many of whom came and helped her out from time to time.  She was a blessing to others, and others were a blessing to her.  Her life and ministry in the church was exactly how it should be.  We are all very proud to have known her and have had her in our hearts and in our lives. 

Please feel free to add your own comments or thoughts below.  We'd love to hear how Shirley impacted your life.

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15 Comments
Wain Dempsey
11/4/2013 12:20:24 pm

Lovely notice..thank you for ur kind words and fond thoughts.

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Billie-jo Thomlinson
11/5/2013 12:41:52 am

I am Shirleys youngest sister . Thank-you for your message . She loved children . I wish I could have spent more time with her . But distance kept us ALL apart . She will be with her father soon ... as he will be returning to end all suffering and pain and tears . Till we meet again in the clouds my sister . Till we meet again . God Bless everyone !

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Marietta Alge
11/5/2013 02:12:20 am

Shirley was my dear sister in Christ. I loved her very much. She inspired me with her willingness to serve whereever needed. Her love for the Lord was infectious. Her strength to go on even in times when her health was bad is my goal now because of Shirley.
I know she is having the best times for ever and we will meet again.

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Lois Craig
11/5/2013 08:33:02 am

Dear Shirley - a precious sister who loved her family and loved her Lord. She often spoke of different family members, showed us her family pictures and deeply cared for each one. My how I/we shall miss her. as we know you all will. What a treasure to have amongst us these past years- quietly and thoughtfully considering how to solve challenges, makes things work and bless us often with her baking and cooking. Also opening her home for our ladies studies. God took His good and faithful servant Home..

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Pauline Chambers
11/5/2013 11:17:42 am

Shirley was one of many women in the church that I would consider to be mother-figures to me, and she always had a hug and a kind word for everyone who needed one. She was not afraid to speak her mind, but she was quick to apologize and ask for forgiveness if she felt she had wronged someone.

I may be sad, but I am also rejoicing. For so long, we have been praying for her pain to be gone, and our prayer has been answered (maybe not how we would want). Praise God she is finally home!

My Shirley, know that I have always loved you and I always will. Goodnight, my Shirley, I'll see you in the morning.

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Claudia Welscott
11/5/2013 01:55:39 pm

Dear Shirley- A wonderful woman of God. I will remember your quiet and sweet presence and your warm smile. Thank you for the taking care of the children at the daycare and giving them hugs when they needed them.

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. Maya Angelou

We will miss you and love you!!

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Nora Hajian
11/5/2013 04:10:59 pm

Holy Sonnet 10

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those, whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy picture be,
Much pleasure, then from thee much more, must flow,
And soonest our best men (and women!) with thee do go,
Rest of their bones and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to Fate, chance, kings and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war and sickness dwell,
And poppy, or charms can make us sleep as well,
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then ?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,

And Death shall be no more;

Death, thou shalt die.
- John Donne, 1610

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
- Second Timothy 4:7

Happy Graduation, Shirley! God blessed you and made you a blessing. We love you and miss you...but we know you are in an indescribable place right now, and without any regrets, or sorrows, or pain, or shortcomings. You've reached The End That Is Really The Beginning - Everlasting life with God our Father and Creator - which we're all journeying towards. I trust we'll see you again soon, by God's grace.

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Kathy Musial
11/6/2013 02:39:48 am

Shirley was the bright spot in our day, with her impish grin and her love of life and each person she knew. It was a pleasure to know Shirley and I will certainly miss her, her hugs, smiles, laughter and gumption. Her health was never good while I knew her, but she never let that stop her, she volunteered like she was well, she was going to the pool for exercise in all weather and and she was always ready for a new adventure. She also was an avid "back seat driver" even from the right hand front seat, always with a cheerful attitude and no apologies needed. Shirley brightened everyones day she met, and especially mine. We rejoice that you are enjoying excellent health and the glories of our Heavenly Fathers presence. Until we meet again in Heaven, we will be missing having you with us.

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The Lacasse Family
11/6/2013 03:21:31 am

Our family is so sad to hear of this news. We just want to say how much we appreciated Shirley's contributions to the daycare in the short time we knew her. We regret not having taken the time to tell her how precious her presence and gifts were to those she served. May she rest in eternal peace with our heavenly Father.

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Sandra Pryor
11/7/2013 12:47:49 am

What a lady Shirley was! I loved the sparkle in her eyes, her laughter and her love! Shirley was not afraid of holding hands in public or giving hugs and kisses and getting them in return. Shirley had the biggest, warmest heart and loved her family dearly. She missed her children and prayed for them regularly.

Shirley loved her church family too. She adopted us all lol. Her love for the daycare children was very evident. The last time I saw Shirley, she said that if I did not want to go into the daycare kitchen on Thursday, it was okay because she was going to be there making preparations for the Friday lunch and making a special treat for the children for Halloween. Shirley loved those children and going into the kitchen made her life have purpose and she was serving her God. Shirley had so many health issues that it made life difficult at times but she never let it stand in the way of coming to the daycare or to bible studies to learn more about God. Shirley was a good example to follow for servant-hood in the Lord. Her love and light shone!

I admire/d Shirley’s strength and commitment to serving the Lord in his daycare for the precious children. Shirley loved the Lord with all her heart and is now in heaven where she has no pain, no diabetes, no COPD, no other health issues. Every time I am in the kitchen and the thought comes to me that I am never going to see Shirley there again, I will have to remember where she is and take happiness that she is in that land of beauty, peace and perfection and be happy for her.

I love you Shirley and can only wonder at the wonders you are experiencing in heaven! Enjoy my friend! You have now taken what Christ prepared for you: Philippians 3:12

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Erika Rozsa Atkinson
11/7/2013 07:42:20 am

I have been thinking what can I possibly say to discribe what I think of Shirley. What a nice, warm, honest, willing, open, kind person she was to a stranger or a friend. It didn't matter what kind of day she had or how she felt. She was always there, I somehow thought she will always be there sitting on a chair next to me in Bible study giving her perspective that made me think about what we receive daily and value all the blessings. I don't even know if I qualified as a friend to Shirley but she sure did feel like one to me. I loved her hugs at church, her loving nature and smile. I am glad I had the chance to meet her. If I miss her this much, I can only imagion how other must feel.

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Pauline Chambers
11/7/2013 05:09:02 pm

Erika, I can assure you that every person in out church community qualified as a friend to Shirley, no matter how well they knew her.

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Heather Hajian
11/7/2013 02:12:53 pm

Even though I've known Shirley only for a few short years, I feel like I have known her much longer. Lord, I thank you for the few short years that I've known Shirley. She has blessed me, my family, my church family, our Nazarene Daycare, and our community in countless ways. I'm going to miss Shirley, but take joy in the fact that one day, I'm going to meet Shirley again, in eternity.

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'Kona' Chantal Lynn Sankey
11/8/2013 07:37:54 am

I will miss my Mama very much. I'm happy that she had so many caring people to be close to her when I couldn't be.

She was my second mother, raising me for 11 years of my childhood/youth. She will live on in memories and stories of those who loved her... and I would love to hear stories from each of you (maybe even a couple of the stories that included me?) to help keep my memories strong.

I love you Mama xoxoxo

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Bett Chartier
11/15/2013 01:48:12 am

Thank you all for the lovely words and memories you've shared...Shirley is my Mom and I'm at a loss to put to words how she impacted my life...I've tried a few times but am overwhelmed with my thoughts and memories...I know in my heart that this is God's plan for her and am grateful for her peaceful departure...and right now I'm in the process of coming to terms with this change, I will miss her every day.

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    Service Details
    A memorial service was held
    Saturday November 23
    2:00 pm
    at the Whitehorse
    Church of the Nazarene.


    You can listen to an audio file of the spoken words during the service here

    Ladies Tea
    In addition to the service on November 23, there will be a Ladies Tea on Sunday November 24 at 3:00 pm at 1007 Pine Street.  This will be a great opportunity to visit on a personal level and share memories together.

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