SHIRLEY MADELENE POTTER (nee McKEOWN) November 20, 1934 – June 30, 2016 An extraordinary mom, grandma, aunt and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Waterloo on June 30, 2016, 14 months after contracting a hospital acquired infection that lead to her decline. Beloved wife of the late Ron, we hope their happy reunion in heaven after 24 years will include fabulous fishing. She was the last surviving member of her family’s generation, predeceased by siblings Gordon, Joan and Lynda, as well as parents Thomas and Mary Madeline, so we expect there is a big party going on in heaven right now. Shirley was a super hero to all 5 of her children who loved her deeply and will never forget her tenacity (aka stubbornness), courage, quick wit, optimistic spirit and sense of fun: Brenda (Kevin), Brad, Charlene (Frank), Michele (Mark) and David (Keitha). An adored and doting grandmother to Brandon (Tiffany), Alanna (Adam), Michael, Caitlyn, Liam, Quinn and Marshall and a loving great-grandmother to Colton, Alexander and Lauren. She was also the “cool” aunt of a great many nieces and nephews. Her optimism, unbelievable sense of humour and Parkway Plaza helped her keep her sanity while raising 5 (mostly) well-adjusted children and pets in an 850 square foot bungalow in Scarborough, her home for 56 years. She loved family get-togethers, her neighbourhood friends, Canada, Swiss Chalet, making notes, her computer and working in the garden. She was a voracious newspaper reader/article clipper, bargain shopper and made the best chili sauce that we probably will never learn how to duplicate. She was a devoted and (too) forgiving fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jays. And, over a full life of 81 years, she shared HUNDREDS of helpful hints and creative ways to repurpose reuse and recycle, although it will take years for her family to repurpose, reuse and recycle the many treasures she left behind. Full of love and loved by all. Fun and fun loving. Our lives and Facebook pages will never be the same. Our family will remain forever grateful to staff at Schlegel Villages- University Gates (Downey) for the care, kindness and dignity provided towards our Mom throughout her stay and the support and compassion provided to her family particularly while she was in palliative care. A private interment will be held at Highland Memory Gardens but a party to celebrate her life will be held later in July. She would like that. If desired, donations to The Schlegel Research Institute for Aging or the Alzheimer Society would be greatly appreciated. She would like that too.