Shirley Clayton’s Celebration of Life

A photo of Shirley Clayton’s Celebration of Life

Service:

Saturday June 25, 2022
2:00 P.M.
Turin United Church
14188 Turin Line, Thamesville

For those not able to attend in person, a zoom link to the service is included in the obituary

Shirley B Clayton of Ridgetown passed away at Victoria Hospital, London on Wednesday January 27, 2021.  She was born 85 years ago, one of four children to George and Elsie (Wildblood) Spence.  She is survived by her brother John Spence and her sister Marion Teskey (Al).  She was predeceased by her sister Donna Underwood and her husband Jack, as well as John’s wife Marion.

One day at a Junior Farmer Field Meet in Ridgetown, Shirley met Ralph Clayton, the person she would marry and share her life with for the next sixty years. Their life’s journey took them from Ridgetown to Newmarket and back and also brought them two children who she loved dearly; Lynette Scott (Ken) and John Clayton (Micheline Lacombe). Shirley was a very proud grandmother to Carlene, Colin, Craig, Caryn and Laura Joy.

In her teen years she was active in church,4H and Junior Farmer activities before attending Normal School in London and becoming a school teacher.  She taught in Glenwood, Bethel and Tilbury. Following her marriage, she devoted her life to being a very supportive wife, mother and grandmother – all bringing her a life of joy.”

A Celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at Turin United Church on Saturday June 25, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.  Friends wishing to remember her with a memorial donation are asked to consider the London Regional Cancer Program.  For those unable to attend in person, a zoom link to the service is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87122454346?pwd=Ky93UnJrNkJpTE5ESzNPL2ZhTVZLUT09

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Our condolences to the families. She was a great teacher. She will be missed by all.

Sorry for your loss, condolences from the Graves Family.

Sorry to hear of Shirleys passing. She was my teacher in grade 4 and 5 at Glenwood and she was a great teacher. Sorry for my late message. A recent photo on Facebook of her and students at Glenwood brought to mind I had failed to offer our sympathy for your loss earlier. Take care. Barb and Dick

Dear Ralph...sending our condolences on Shirley’s passing. My memories go back to high school days and since, seeing the two of you occasionally as the years have passed. Shirley always had a smile! Marie Harold

Ralph and Family, We were very saddened to hear of the Passing of Shirley. Marilyn and I always found Shirley to be a very "Up-Beat" person with a smile on her face. We particularly enjoyed our conversations around our common enthusiasm for sailing. She left her "Gentle" footprints on the Earth and will certainly be missed by those close to her and far beyond.

Dear Ralph, Lynette, John and families Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Sincerely, Bev and Margaret Jean (Clark) Tunks

Ralph and family, my sincerest condolences with Shirley’s passing. I will always remember the good times we had together. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

My deepest sympathy to you all. I didn't know Shirley real well but we enjoyed a few book club meetings together. She was always so friendly and had a warm and caring smile. I wasn't part of her church where these took place but I always felt real welcomed by the group, and Shirley in particular. May you find strength and courage when you need it most.

Will and I send our deepest condolences. Always enjoyed our little visits before the church service would begin. She will be missed!

Dear Ralph, Lynette, John and families, my deepest sympathies. I always enjoyed sitting in front of Shirley in church. She always had a kind smile and a positive word to share! There never was a time she didn’t ask how my kids were doing and I always loved her gentle way. She enjoyed a good laugh, a very special lady!

We're so sad to hear of Shirley's passing. We enjoyed seeing her in the store and in the community, for so many years, and will keep such fond memories. She had a keen sense of style and a generous nature....a wonderful combination. Please accept our heartfelt condolences....Rosemary, Craig and family.

So sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. Deepest sympathy to all. I will miss our wonderful visits. Hugs to all Lisa Parry

Dear Ralph, Lynette , John and Families. We send our condolences to you all. Shirley was such a lovely lady with a great sense of humour and always had time for a friendly chat! May God Bless You and Comfort You in the days ahead. Don & Catherine Scott

John, Lynette and family, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. She will truly be missed. May your memories bring you comfort over these difficult days ahead. MaryLynne Seliga

To the Spence & Clayton Families Our deepest sympathy & sincere condolences hugs Bonnie & Ray Fenton

Shirley was a kind and lovely lady. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ralph, Lynette, John and their families during this very difficult time. Love, Harold, Allison, Brandon & Alex

Ted and I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to Ralph and family. I remember Shirley as being a kind, thoughtful, friendly woman, who always took the time to speak to me after church services. I believe a few words in the last paragraph of her obituary describes her perfectly: quiet and dignified. In my eyes, she was a true lady. She will be missed. Dawn and Ted Teetzel

Our sincere condolences to the Clayton and Spence families. Shirley will be missed by all who knew her. Tom & Sue MacDonald

Our sincere condolences to Ralph, John, and family. We have many fond memories of our time spent together at Lions Head and our annual 3 hour lunches at the Mandarin and McDonald’s in London. So many laughs. Heaven has gained an angel. Rest In Peace Shirley. You will be missed. Jean & Marie Steffler

Our deepest condolences to Ralph and all of Shirley's family. I do have wonderful memories of all of you, and we are thinking of you at your time of loss.

Sorry to hear of Shirley's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Please accept our deepest condolences

So very sorry, Ralph and family, to hear of Shirley's passing. I always enjoyed a chat with her when the Walker relatives got together. She was such a lovely dignified lady. She will be greatly missed. Marie Avey

Sincerest condolences to Lynette and John and all there families

I am so very sorry for your loss. John and I knew Shirley through her sister, Donna. She will be greatly missed.

Our deepest condolences.

To all in the family- our sympathy at your loss. Shirley leaves many loving and supportive memories for all of us... a very special person whom we were privileged to know.

Ralph, Lynette, John and families, John, Marion & Al; I still remember my many times being welcomed at family gatherings and great holiday meals. It was always a fun time along with Shirley's very caring ways. She will be missed by many. My sympathy to all the family.

Ralph, Lynnette, John and families - sorry to hear of Shirley's passing. She will be missed in the Turin community. On Christmas Eve, it was good to see Ralph and Shirley on the zoom service. Cherish the memories to help you through this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. June & Keith Nussey.

Shirley was a very special person. Love to you all. Will miss her kindness and loving spirit!

Thinking of you all during this difficult time. Peace to you all.

Heartfelt condolences to all the families

So sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. Many good memories; Shirley & Ralph always made me feel welcome in the Clayton home growing up. Condolences to Ralph, Lynette, John and family.

We thought very highly of Shirley and are truly saddened by the news of her passing. Much love from the two of us.

Ralph & Family, Our deepest condolences on the passing of Shirley. She was such a lovely lady with a great sense of humour. I enjoyed our time spent working together on the Highgate, Morpeth, Turin charge. Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Sending my sympathy to you all during this most difficult time.

To Ralph, John, Marion, Al The Spence cousins are part of "who we are". Shirley was always so thoughtful and gracious. Our cousins get-togethers were highlights for us. Our condolences too, to Lynnette and John. Shirley was so proud of you. Love to you all, Paul and Lyn

So sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of spending time with your family. Thinking of you and praying for comfort during this difficult time.

Our sincere condolences to you all. Her refreshing sense of humour will be missed, but will bring lots of happy memories in the days to come. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all. You have lost a special lady. Leo and Carol

Thinking of you Ralph, Lynette and John and families. Shirley was a good friend to all of us, and a Grandma to our boys too. I have such good memories of her sense of humour, kindness and generosity.

Ralph, Lynette, John and families, my deepest condolences on the loss of Shirley. She was a sweet and caring lady who will be greatly missed. Thinking of you all during this difficult time

So sorry to hear about the passing of Shirley. In the days when we had Newcombe Reunions, Edward Cofell and I always loved to visit with Shirley and Ralph, and also with John and Marion.

Ralph, Lynette, John and family - Please accept our sincere sympathy in the passing of Shirley, she was a very devoted wife, mother and grandmother and she will be missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you at this very difficult time and throughout the coming days. Death is not the end, it is only the passing on from time into eternity for the children of God. Death is not extinguishing the light, it is putting out the lamp because dawn has come. May the peace that comes from the memories of love shared comfort each of you.

We are so sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. She was such a beautiful and classy lady. Remember her often and enjoy the legacy she has left behind. Thinking of you.

I’m so sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. She was one heck of a lady! I always looked forward to our visits. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.

So sorry to hear about Shirley's passing. I have wonderful memories of our yearly trip up the river, all the times we sang our hearts out, our long lunches... She will be missed. Prayers and hugs to all the family..

Our sincere condolences to the family . We enjoyed our chats . Hugs to all . BJ and Bob

We are so sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. She will be missed everywhere but certainly at book club and church. Our prayers and thoughts are with your family.

So sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family

Dear Ralph, Lynette, John and Spence Family - My earliest memories of Shirley are those from our roots at Howard Road Botany United Church where she and her family were very fondly regarded by mine. Our many years of association continued through farming…with Shirley on occasion delivering some of her tasty kitchen treats to the boys in the field. She was a thoughtful, sincere neighbour and lovely friend. May your family be Blessed with Comfort and Peace in your Beautiful Memories. Extending our sincere sympathy Fred, Cheryl & Family

Our condolences to the Clayton family, sincerely Hazel MacMillan, Kelly & Pete MacMillan.

Dear Ralph, Lynette, John & families; So sorry to hear of your loss. We always “enjoyed “our visits when we used to see you out and about. Thinking of you at this difficult time, Bonnie & Ted

Very sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. She was a lovely lady and always had time for a bit of chit chat. Enjoyed her at the Botany book club. She will be missed by many. You will all have good memories of your time with her. Sincerely. Ken & Sue McLarty

Dear Ralph and family: Our sincere condolences on the loss of Shirley. She was such a friendly person; always took the time to talk. Cherish the memories of the life you shared...she will be in your hearts forever. Bill and Junne Jenkins.

Our sincerest condolences to the Clayton family. Shirley was a lovely lady and she will be missed. Fred & Kaye

Dear Lynette, Ken, Carlene, Colin, Craig and Caryn, I am so sorry to read of the passing of your dear mom and grandma. Cherish the wonderful memories you have and live your lives to make her proud! Thinking of you with love and prayers. Susan Sparling Manuel

Shirley was such a lovely lady . I always loved to see her- she was always so sincere and kind. My deepest sympathies.

Ralph, Lynette, John and family, I am so sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. I loved meeting up with her at various time. She had such a genuine and loving personality. Hugs to all of you.

Loved our time we went to Ryerson camp with Mary Jane. We had a great time. Lots of laughs. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless Joyce and Bill Guerin

Dear Ralph and family Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult of times. Shirley was one of the kindest and gentlest of people, she always had a smile and a kind word. Hold close to your memories, God's Blessings to you all

So sorry to hear about Shirley. She was such a kind, thoughtful, funny and beautiful soul. I always loved visiting with her. Thinking and praying for your entire family.

Lynette and family, we are so sorry to hear about your Mom. Whenever I met her on the street she always had time for little chitchat... truly lovely lady. Our thoughts & prayers to you & your family at this sad time.

Dear Ralph, Lynette ,John and families, We are so sad to hear of Shirley’s passing. Our deepest condolences to your family. I so enjoyed every visit and conversation with her over the years. Her easy laugh, and gentle caring nature will be missed. Reade and Sherrie

Lynette and family: My sincere condolences on the passing of your mom. She was such a dear soul and I loved her laugh and smile. May she rest in God’s loving arms. May your sweet memories help comfort you through this difficult time.

Ralph, Lynette, John and families: Our thoughts and prayers are with your family on hearing of Shirley’s passing. Shirley was a good friend, community neighbour, singing buddy and instigator of so much fun when we got together for girls night out. She will definitely be missed in our little circle of friendship. May the memories you shared bring you love and peace at this difficult time. God’s blessings! Brenda and Chuck Guyitt

Ralph, Lynette, John and Family, so sorry to learn about Shirley's passing.

Very Sorry for your loss !!

Ralph, Lynette, John and Family: I am so sorry to hear about Shirley's passing. She was a fun loving AWESOME lady who loved her family and life. She will be missed by everyone who knew her. When you were in Shirley's company you always had a lot of fun and laughs. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult and sad time.

Sorry for your loss.

To Ralph, Lynette, John & their Families Our condolences on the passing of Shirley. Our thoughts are with you at this sad day. Dayle & Donna