Shirley Fern (Porter) Brown Obituary

Shirley Fern Brown

It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. Sadly we had to say goodbye to Shirely Fern Brown, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, who passed away peacefully at Belleville General Hospital on October 17, 2020 at the age of 80 after a courageous battle with cancer and COPD. Her children were by her side in her final moments. Shirley is the daughter of the late Lloyd and Lois Porter of Englehart. She is predeceased by her husband Christopher Burnett Brown, her grand-daughter Larissa Reinhardus and her brother Melvin Porter. She leaves behind her children, David Brown (Liza) of Belleville, Gwen Palacious (Fred) of Sudbury, Michelle Reinhardus (Dave) of Stirling, Lisa Brown of Belleville, Tracey Lott (Norm) of Stirling, her many grandchildren; Kale, Dylan, Rachel, Owen, Ferrando, Jamal, Jessica, Lindsay, Joel, Mac, Emily, Josh, Kristen, Caleb and Michaela and her great-grandson Jasai. Shirley is survived by sisters Ruth Berard and Debbie Porter-Shaw. She will be fondly remembered by her extended family and many close friends.

Shirley met her husband Chris while working for CIBC in Kirkland Lake, Ontario and spent much of her married life caring for her five children and being a homemaker. She loved listening to Chris play his guitar and to country music, visiting with family and friends, cooking, going to bingo or “work” and spoiling her grandchildren. Shirley was an avid crafter and excelled at knitting socks, mitts and sweaters, sewing and quilting and she loved giving away her wares. She volunteered her time quilting for the church and helping with luncheons. After Chris’s retirement, they spent several winters in Arizona enjoying the warm weather, sight-seeing and getting together with friends for dinner and afternoon musical “jam” sessions.

In keeping with Shirley’s wishes, no visitation or funeral service will be held. The immediate family will hold a celebration of life at a later date. If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Belleville General Hospital or the Canadian Cancer Society are greatly appreciated.