LEON, Shirley (nee Burns) formerly Omstead - Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 in Toronto at the age of 89 after an 11 year battle with dementia.
Dearly loved by her late husband’s Jack Leon and Duane Omstead.
Loving mother to Cherie (Richard), Dana (Helga) and Shawn (Janet) and pre-deceased by her young son, Brian. Loving stepmother to John (Lisa), Brian (Cathy) and Peggy (Frank).
Proud Nana of Stephen, Christopher, Michael, Jacqueline, Jordan, Dave, Amanda, Meredith, Jack, Mark, Michael, Matthew, Vanessa, Lucy, Patrick, Johnny, Shannon, Paul and Barry.
Survived by her sister Pat Nicholson and pre-deceased by her brother Jerry Burns.
All of us will miss her immensely.
Shirley was born on April 13, 1929 in Windsor. She was gifted with an operatic voice, which she used in her early 20’s to join the Detroit Civic Light opera. She never lost her love for her singing Irish classics like Danny Boy and Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral all her life and would often entertain family and friends whenever she had the chance. Shirley spent much of her early adult life in Wheatley, Ontario where she met and married Duane Omstead when she was 27 years old. She then split her time between Wheatley and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida through her 30’s and 40’s. Shirley opened up her home in Florida to everyone and loved to entertain. While in Florida, she developed her passion for cruising and golf, which she enjoyed throughout her life and passed down both joys to her entire family. Following Duane’s passing, her second life began with Jack Leon in 1982 in Toronto. In 1985, Jack and Shirley bought a cottage on Lake Simcoe in Sutton, Ontario across from the Briars Golf Course. She spent every summer enjoying her family and friends on Hedge Road. Many great family thanksgivings were enjoyed at the '19th Hole' in Sutton Ontario and many countless cherished family memories were made. Most of all, Shirley lived for her entire family and was keenly interested in her children and grandchildren’s success in whatever they pursued. She had tremendous pride in everyone in her family. She had more memorable sayings than anyone could ever count and we will miss them all.
We want to thank her extremely devoted caregivers who have been her loving companions. We are forever grateful for their care. A very big thank you to the wonderful staff at the Meighen Manor for their loving care during Shirley’s six-year stay.
Friends may call at Lambton Golf and Country Club (100 Scarlett Road, Toronto) for a visitation followed by a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, December 4th from 5 – 8 p.m. with speeches and song to commence at 5:30pm.
Donations may be made to either the Salvation Army, Meighen Health Centre, 155 Millwood Road, Toronto ON , or the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, 20 Eglinton Ave West, 16th Floor, Toronto, ON.
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