A life well lived!! It is with heavy hearts we announce that our Mom, Muriel Shirley Duncan (nee Nixon) passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, May 26, 2023 at the age of 97, just shy of her 98th birthday.  She will be greatly missed. Born in Chapleau, Ontario on June 23, 1925 to Robert and Agnes Nixon, Shirley was the 6th of 7 children, all predeceased.  She survived her husband of 57 years,  Rae Duncan, by 18 years.  Loving mother to her 4 children David (Sue), Deborah (Dave), Donna (Tom), Dianne (Rick), as well as her 11 grandchildren, Darryl (Jen), Adam (Ariadna), Laura (Corrie), Ian (Jeannie), Matthew (Michelle), Mark (Saunya), Michael (Tracy), Brett (Lisa), Emma (Dwayne), Travis (Paige), Lyndsey (Keith).  Shirley loved that her grandchildren gave her 24 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.  She was very proud of her family including her nieces and nephews.

Her life growing up in a small northern Ontario town was full of fun and adventure.  She loved figure skating, swimming and diving, dances and biking with her gang of friends.  After graduating high school, she earned her nursing degree at Wellesley Hospital, class of 1946, in Toronto, followed by a 2nd certificate in obstetrics earned at Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital, in Jersey City, New Jersey.

She met Rae Duncan on a blind date at a dance at Casa Loma and they married  on July 3rd of 1948, settling in Toronto where they raised their 4 children.  Before returning to the workforce, Shirley attended a refresher course at University of Toronto  in 1970.  Upon completion, she was employed by the City of Etobicoke in June of 1971 as a public health nurse for the next 19 years, a job at which she excelled and greatly enjoyed. After her husband's passing,  she promptly started volunteering at the Queensway Hospital, as well as driving cancer patients to appointments and performing altar guild at the Church of Atonement.  She was an avid Bridge player, loved her daily crossword puzzles and sudoku and could beat anyone at crib!  Of course, everyone knew her favorite colour was red!

Mom was game for anything.  When her husband bought a weekend farm (surprise!), she worked hard in the garden, picking berries, cooking for the local farm hands during haying (as well as her kids and grandkids),  making jams and jellies, stacking firewood, helping to chase cattle and cooking endless family dinners with a smile!  Happy hour,  when mom could relax and enjoy a gin and tonic, was usually followed by card games or crokinole with her grandchildren after dinner.  She was a generous and gracious hostess.



In her later years, Mom loved sitting on her front porch watching the school children walk by, who would wave or stop to chat with her.  Mom had many good and kind neighbors with whom to share her words of wisdom and have a laugh together.



Our family would like to thank the nurses and psws at Beechwood Court for the outstanding loving care they provided mom, as well as the dining, reception and cleaning staff.  You all made mom smile and feel welcomed and loved.

Mom, you'll be forever in our hearts.  Sleep well, nightie bless!

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 18, 2023 from 1:00p.m. until the time of her memorial service at 2:00 p.m. at the G.H. Hogle Funeral Home, 63 Mimico Avenue, Toronto, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory to The Alzheimers Society, a children's charity or the charity of your choice.