Obituaries

THACKER, Shirley Ann

A gentle spirit with a sunny disposition, Mom slipped away peacefully at Hospice House on September 11, 2018.
Her life began in Winnipeg. There she met and married her childhood sweetheart, Fred. In 1967 the family moved to Lakeview Heights where Mom and Dad shared many happy memories caretaking the Tiddly Pomme Orchard. After losing dad to a farm accident in 1974 she married Bob Thacker. They were to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary in December.
In early retirement she volunteered at KGH. Mom was in her element in the kitchen. She enjoyed preparing and hosting large family meals. She especially loved baking and baked hundreds of specialty birthday cakes for family & friends. She had a large collection of recipe books but was always eager to add to her collection. She was an avid Canucks fan.
'Grandmama" adored and doted on her family. She loved unconditionally. She modelled selflessness, always giving more than she got. She approached life with an optimistic and positive attitude.
Mom will be missed by many: her husband Bob, her children Steve (Lisa) Linda (Tom)and Heather (Brian), her grandchildren Haley, Patrick, Jessica, Emily, Morgan and Nik, great grandson Bennett, her brother John (Diane) ,her

Link: www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Condolence Messages

Dec 03, 2018
Very sorry to hear of her passing. Will always remember as mom number 2. Love to her family. Cal Jackson and family.
Oct 05, 2018
Dear Heather and Linda and Steve and Bob. Dear Betty, The backbone of Shirley's life. And the grandchildren; I could love them all through her stories and tales of the baking and cooking she talked about. Shirley was always so helpful and supportive, generous, kind and loveable. Superbly gracious and giving and the backbone of our Watkins business for over 20 years. We enjoyed trips to meetings and at least one convention, but I appreciated Betty's help, too. We always celebrated each other's birthdays together and we started and ended each week with a phone call among many others. We regret not seeing Shirley in the past year, because as happens to everyone...we moved to a senior's residence and deteriorated. We have missed Shirley so much as we went through all this moving. and etc. With love in our hearts and our thoughts and prayers for you all through this sad loss.

Dear dear Shirley. she was a STAR!....Diane and Eldon Bauer Watkins Consultants.
Sep 21, 2018
To Heather, Linda and Steve and their families.

Even though we lost touch as our lives lead us to live in other areas of the Okanagan we fondly remember your mom Shirley. The Derbyshire, Horning and Preston families extend our sincere condolences to your family and friends during this sad time. It was over 40 years ago when we met Heather and her wonderful mom Shirley. We lived 2 doors down on Vista Way and soon we were great friends and spent many fun times together. Shirley was such a kind and caring woman who went out of her way to make others happy. She had a beautiful smile and a gentle voice and could she cook up a storm! We shared many meals together and still enjoy cooking her recipes today. We will always remember Shirley for the love, kindness and generosity she showed us all.

Gloria Horning , Glenda Derbyshire and Sylvia Fretz (nee Preston's)
Sep 20, 2018
To Shirley's family, we just wanted to say how sorry we are for your loss. Even though we did not know Shirley personally, we felt like we knew her somewhat through Emily. We heard such wonderful things about her & the love of such a wonderful Grandma. Shirley made our son's wedding cake 3 years ago & it was so special! Emily & Stephanie were there, as well to help & add some extra love to the baking! Wonderful memories. You all are in our thoughts at this difficult time. Sandra & Randy Zahara
Sep 19, 2018
All my sympathies to Linda, Heather and Steve.

Though it's been a while, I remember your Mother as a warm,

pleasant and caring individual.

Let there be comfort in your memories.

Ferenc (Frank) Vaski
Sep 18, 2018
To all of Shirley's family and friends,

I am a good friend of Emily's, and I got to know Shirley over the years of our friendship. She was always bright and cheerful and her door seemed to be always open if you needed advice (especially baking advice), as well as just for a visit. She even helped Emily and I make my brothers wedding cake, which turned out to be such a fun few days, and I learned so much from her just from that one experience, sharing some laughs and stories along the way which I'll always think back on fondly.

I'm thinking of you all, and I feel extremely grateful to have gotten to know such a beautiful person.

She will be missed by all who knew her.

Stephanie Zahara
Sep 18, 2018
Linda, Heather, Steve and Bob. My condolence to your family as well as to my mom, Shirley's bestest bestie Betty.

I will always be great full in knowing that my mom had the best friend possible.

A long, life lasting friendship that cannot be described in words but in actions that lasted decades.

When it comes to friendships they were soul mates.

From the early years the two of them together working in the mall, volunteering at the hospital, to the hours and hours of baking. They were joined at the hip.

Never have I seen two women laugh and giggle like these two. If they were together they were smiling.

Their days always turned into an adventure. My mom driving and Shirley co-piloting many miles they would drive together to appointments, shopping , delivering Watkins products, picking up friends for a celebration the list goes on and on. Or their big trip to Vancouver to watch the Canucks, where somehow they managed to ride the sky train all day for free. That was them together loving life and enjoying the company they gave each other.

Shirley's smile and twinkle in her eye when she laughed will be what I remember most. A very wonderful lady and very true friend she will be truly missed.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Bitsy
Sep 18, 2018
To all of Shirley's family,

We are so sad to hear of the passing of your Mom. She was such a sweet, kind and lovely lady. Our parents were friends and we all grew up together in Lakeview Heights. May you carry her in your heart forever. We are blessed that we had the friendship for many of the early years. I just saw her in the last few years at the hospital. She remembered John, my brother, and I right away. She will be missed by all. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Mariellen Wall, John Clarke and both our parents Jim and Brenda Clarke
Sep 17, 2018
Dear Shirley's family, Shirley worked with my Mom in the mall at a clothing store for quite some time. She was a very kind woman. When my Dad passed away Shirley and her Bestest bestie called my Mom on her birthdays and took her out for cake and coffee. As my Mom started to lose her memory it was very comforting to have Shirley not forget her. Condolences Jennifer Simms ( Heidi Simms' daughter)