Shirley Mae Hodgson

Shirley Mae Hodgson - Forever Loved & in our Hearts

August 5, 1937 - Oct 18, 2026

Shirley was born in Montreal on August 5, 1937 to loving parents, James and Evelyn Thornton. She grew up with her older sister Heather and her younger siblings, Ken and Sandra. Their home was a modest one, but often full of people as Shirley’s parents, though not of means themselves, would often take in other family members that were in need of a place to stay. They took in a foster baby for a time and later, also had Heather’s oldest son Jim stay with them for long periods, whom they adored (and spoiled) and who became like an additional little brother to Shirley and her siblings.

At 16, after a particularly stressful period, Shirley left school and began working for Electrolux, where her dad already worked. She saved some of her earnings to buy her mum a TV so she would have something to watch while she did all the laundry and ironing for the household.

At some point in her 20’s, Shirley’s parents started studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. They loved what they were learning and started to share it with Shirley, Ken and Sandra who were still living at home. Shirley said her mum would follow her all over the house with the Bible! Shirley’s interest peaked and she would sometimes sit in on her parents’ Bible study when she got home from work.

Around this time, Shirley had gotten an administrative job at a hotel which she loved and that is where she met Don Hodgson. Don was known to be good looking and charismatic and soon showed interest in Shirley, inviting her to go out. On the first date, he asked her if she knew how to sew buttons on a shirt. Shirley would laughingly say her positive response was what led him to propose!

They were married on March 30, 1963. Shirley fell pregnant soon after. She gave birth prematurely to a son (Glen) who very sadly only lived a few hours. 4 years later in 1967, Shirley proudly gave birth to Matthew. They had a joyful family life and enjoyed travels to Western Canada & California and also continued to spend time with family. Shirley had continued on with her Bible Studies, and with great joy, dedicated her life to serving her God and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in May 1969. For economic reasons, Don & Shirley decided to move to Toronto in the early ‘70s. Their daughter Melanie came by surprise in 1976.

Shirley was always a hard worker. She took pride in her home and could often be found hanging out the windows as she cleaned them or dusting the furniture and her beloved collection of ornaments to the background of Abba, Neil Diamond or Kenny Rogers She was known for keeping her house in tip top shape and ironing everything, even underwear! Don and Shirley kept their love aflame with unexpected gifts and weekend drives and getaways to quaint spots around Ontario. They rejoiced to have the whole family come for turkey or roast dinners and Sunday was always dinner and the football game. They both loved the sea and took special joy in family trips to St-Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick.

When Don started to become chronically sick, Shirley went back to work part-time and eventually full-time (and more), to help support the family.

With much happiness, Shirley and Don welcomed a daughter-in-law (Anne) and 4 grandchildren: Mathieu, Lauren, Jake & Jessica. Shirley took great joy in spending time with them and making them her famous pancakes! (Nana’s are still the best!) In addition to working and taking care of her home and family, Shirley faithfully looked after her father-in-law until his death in December 1995. Tragically, Don died 1 month later in January 1996. In 2000, she welcomed her “favourite” son-in-law named Aurélien, who married Melanie. The same year Shirley remarried a long-time friend (Robert Galt).

Shirley and Robert shared lots of fun, food and companionship until 2004 when Robert sadly and unexpectedly died. Shirley moved in with Melanie and Aurélien in 2007.

In 2009 and 2011, Shirley welcomed 2 more grandchildren, Rémi and Lucy, who she adored.

A couple years later, she suffered a near-fatal stroke but as Shirley did, she bounced back. Her health later continued to decline and in 2022, she moved into the Harold and Grace Baker Centre where she was kindly cared for by a fantastic team, until her hospitalization and subsequent death in Oct, 2026.

Family, Friends, Faith & Fun

Shirley loved her family and her friends. She was sincerely excited for their joys and deeply saddened for their trials. She took great joy in any visits, calls or news and was always full of good stories and clever sayings. She was always a listening ear and would happily use her time, prayers and resources to help wherever she could.

Shirley loved and had a strong, personal relationship with her God. She was happy to share her love for him and to help others to take comfort from his word, from which she herself had found great comfort and hope. She loved to sing the Kingdom songs, knew many by heart, and faithfully attended her spiritual meetings each week; in person when she was able, and in more recent years, by Zoom. She had been part of a number of congregations over her lifetime and delighted in the lasting friendships she had made, which were a source of joy right till the end.

Shirley had a positive attitude and a sense of humour. She loved to play cards, especially cribbage and often won. She loved a good hamburger and a bag of potato chips. She was always thankful to those who provided her care and tried to look at the bright side of her situation, which was not always easy.

She did not like to complain and made an effort to ask how others were doing. She was appreciated by everyone who met her. She lightened the mood with humour. If a doctor or nurse asked if she was ok getting poked for a blood test or needle (which happened a lot), her response was often “ok, but it’ll cost you a quarter”. Her faith and positivity no doubt helped her to navigate through many difficult trials including loss of her loved ones and also to fight through many health challenges. She fought hard right till the end.

Shirley will be greatly missed by her son and daughter-in-law, Matt & Anne, her daughter and son-in-law, Mel & Aurélien, her grand-children with respective mates Maty (Jessica), Lauren (Andrew), Jake (Kristen), Jess (Peter), Rémi & Lucy.

She is pre-deceased by her husbands Don & Bob, her sister Heather, her brother-in-law Jim and nephew Kevin.

She is survived by her brother Ken and his wife Irene, her sister Sandra and her honorary brother & nephew Jim, his wife Sharon and son Johnathon.

She is also survived by her additional 5 nephews and 1 niece: Don, Bonnie, Jim (Ruth), Tim, Ted, and Corey (Lisa) and their families.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:38,39