Shirley Marie Pritchard Weis
January 1, 1928 to September 24, 2023
Shirley was a petite, lively, artistic and elegant woman. And she was not to be underestimated. Beneath her impeccably-dressed, lady-like exterior she had an iron will and an unerring moral code. Be positive. Never complain. Be loyal to your friends. Follow the news. Choose your charities and give generously. Embrace every day and every season. Be curious. And above all else, love and nurture your family.
She was the matriarch of a big clan. She was so proud of them all. Mother to Bill, Karen (Rowland) French and Gren (Barb); grandmother to Jen (Todd) Hammond, Jason (Sarah) Weis, Jessica Weis, Topher (Elena) French, Drew (Samantha)French, Alec and Dylan Weis; GG to Matthew and Gavin Hammond, Graydon and Addison Weis, Madelynn Weis, William and Molly McKean and Catalina and Amalia French
Shirley was born on New Year’s Day 1928 in Welland, Ontario to Dr. Frank and Marie Smith. She studied to be an occupational therapist, but at 20 fell in love and married dashing Air Force officer Frank Weis. With children Bill, Karen and Gren, the young family left their home in Toronto in 1963 and moved to “The Barn” in King City. They spent happy summers at the Weis family island Windswept in rocky, remote Georgian bay and winters at Craigleith ski club. Shirley loved the wilderness. She loved the snow. She has passed this legacy on to her family who all share her love of Windswept, Collingwood, skiing and outdoor sports.
Shirley and Frank moved to a beautiful, old log home in Craigleith in 1980. The family thrived and the grandchildren were born. And then, in 1992 Frank predeceased Shirley. Beloved brother Ted died in 2010, son Bill in 2011, daughter Karen in 2014.
But indomitable Shirley stayed positive. She surrounded herself with projects and a group of close women friends. She became a crack bridge player playing several times a week. She travelled the world with devoted admirer Edgar Harvey and forged a life-long friendship with Ed’s daughter Nancy and partner Doug Macfarlane. She designed and hooked magnificent carpets, knit, quilted, gardened and painted. She joyfully celebrated the birthdays, schools, sports, jobs andmany accomplishments of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She hosted huge family gatherings at Christmas, Boxing Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and birthdays, serving spectacular meals around her giant, candlelit dining room table.
In March 2020 Shirley moved to Raglan Village where, through the gruelling pandemic, she dressed up and mixed a cocktail for her daily FaceTime calls and concluded every conversation with a cheery “And this too shall pass”. At Raglan Shirley met Paul Reid and together they dined, laughed, cheered on the Jays and went for daily strolls.
Shirley died as she lived, gracefully, quickly and with great dignity, in Collingwood Hospital, with family at her side. She is a shining example to us all.
As an expression of your sympathy, donations can be made to My Friends House or the Collingwood General and Marine
Hospital.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 28 at Sterlings Restaurant, Thornbury between 2 and 4pm.
Friends can visit Shirley's online book of memories at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com