Obituary of Shirley Mae Black

It is with great sadness that the family of Shirley Black share the news of her passing on March 29 th , 2023 at Turnbull Nursing Home, Saint John, N.B. at the age of 85 after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s.

Shirley was born to Fraser Campbell and Florence Morgan on February 1, 1938 in New Glasgow, N.S. She is survived by her two children: Greg (Genevieve) of Raleigh, NC; and daughter Kelley (Peter) Polley of Halifax, N.S. She was affectionately known as Neenie to her two cherished granddaughters - Sarah and Katie Polley of Halifax. Besides her parents, Shirley was predeceased by her husband of 39 years, John Black, her sister Beverly O’Brien and her oldest son, Shaun Black. 

Shirley grew up in New Glasgow, N.S. where she was a proud member of the Ceilidh Girls Pipe Band of New Glasgow which started in 1949. She would frequently boast that she loved the sound of bag pipes and that as a child, she played before Queen Elizabeth in Halifax. 

Shirley’s father, Fraser Campbell, worked at Eastern Bakeries and his work took him to Fredericton, N.B., where she spent her high school years and then on to Saint John, N.B. Shirley attended Saint John Community College and subsequently worked in an administration role for a few years. 

Her life changed when Fraser brought home a co-worker John Black, for dinner. They married in 1960 and raised three children – Shaun, Greg and Kelley. Shirley was a devoted and a committed mother which was the focal point of her life. She enjoyed her neighbourhood in Greendale which she called home, all while spending her winters in hockey rinks and her summers at the baseball field. 

Shirley and John volunteered their time extensively with the Canadian Diabetes Association where they were awarded lifetime memberships for their years of service – a charity near and dear to their family’s hearts. Following John’s retirement in 1987, they continued their volunteer work with Meals on Wheels and travelling with close friends when they could. An avid bridge player, Shirley truly enjoyed the social aspect of card playing and valued her friends. Later in life she began going to the gym and walking on the Irving nature trail with friends. 

The family is eternally grateful to Shirley’s homecare workers – Susan Smith, Holly Cameron, and Amanda Muise, for their friendship, countless hours and dedication. They all treated Shirley like a member of their own family, and it allowed her to stay in her home, as per her wishes, until May 2021. The family also thanks her Family Doctor, Dr. Elizabeth Keyes, who took wonderful care of her for many years. Gratitude and thanks are extended to the staff of Turnbull Nursing Home who helped care for Shirley over the last year and a half. 

Resting at Castle Funeral Home, 309 Lancaster Avenue, (634-1701), visitation for Shirley will be on Sunday April 2nd from 1-4pm . A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Spirit Parish (St. Rose of Lima Church) on Monday April 3rd at 12pm. with Interment following at Cedar Hill Extension Cemetery (Manawagonish Road). Following the interment, a reception will take place at Castle Funeral Home. 

Donations in memory of Shirley Black can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of New Brunswick or a charity of the donors choice. For those who wish, condolences may be made by visiting www.castlefh.ca