Shirley Wilson Born 30/7/1940 – 24/03/2011 A celebration of life Shirley was born to Edgar and Monica in July 1940 during an air raid, her first bed was a bottom draw in a chest of draws. While her sister Jenny was academic Shirley preferred to dance. Ballet became her passion and to the stages of Kingston Empire and Richmond Theatre a star was born. One of her favourite performances was in The King and I in 1963. Shirley also helped out in the family pattern works in Teddington. One her most memorable tasks was to paint the wheels of a very famous car – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Shirley had her first date with Barry on April Fools day 1961, they became engaged the following year on the same day…. She always had a wicked sense of humour. They married the following year on 21st September 1963. Their first married home was in Cardinal Ave, Kingston on Thames. Shirley continued to dance and became a dance teacher which took up most of her time until the arrival of Matthew, Robert and Sophie. As the family grew the house seemed to shrink and a move to Staines near the river was necessary. The family holidays were always based in the Swift caravan and this is where the love of the life in Spain for the family began. Shirley worked in the lingerie department of Marks and Spencer in Staines as the children got older. She worked there for 15 years and was known as “Shirley from Knickers and Bras”. Shirley helped both her sons get jobs at M & S and it became the second family business, even providing a wife for Robert. In 1988 Barry and Shirley moved to Hallaton, Leicestershire after Barry was promoted. New horizons beckoned with Shirley becoming a dinner lady and reading assistant in the village primary school. This is when Shirley bought a cocker spaniel called Misty who became a very special companion and walking partner. With Barry retiring at 52 they once again moved, this time to Beer in Devon. They spent nine happy years in the village, with Shirley becoming an active member of the church, rambling club and performing with the Sidmouth Choir. After nine very wet summers and a period of 57 days of rain Shirley and Barry were on the move again to Spain. They spent quite sometime living in a caravan while the villa was being completed and this is when they bought a little fluffy puppy they called Netti. However after six months Netti grew to such a size that when she was sleeping under the bed in the van she could lift it up off the floor. Shirley and Barry were glad when the villa was finished and they could begin putting their stamp on the interior and the garden. Shirley loved her garden, the time and effort she spent tending to her plants in all her houses made them stand out. After one particular ‘singing and dancing‘ show in November, Shirley was so relieved it was all over that she went for a dip in the pool – fully clothed – and then when Barry went to dry her she was asleep in the dogs bed. Shirley’s faith was an important part of her life. She always saw the best in others and never had an unkind word to say about anyone and always managed to be a fantastic wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Lots of people have said she was a ‘lovely lady’ and we know that she would be really thrilled to see so many of you here today to wish her goodbye. Shirley has left us with many happy memories and of course she will be greatly missed, however we are left with an everlasting spirit of kindness and generosity that is an inspiration to all. She can never be replaced and she will never be forgotten. Thank you for joining us in the celebration of her life