Shirley (Allen) Johnston

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shirley Johnston (nee Allen), on January 3rd at the age of 89.  Shirley was the beloved wife of the late Frank (2011), cherished mother of Karen (Tom Bak) and John, and treasured Gramma/Nana to Kazmear, Alex, Adam and Morgan.  She also leaves behind her brother, sister-in-laws, as well as her many loved nieces and nephews.
Shirley was born in Putney, England on August 13th 1935.  She grew up with her older sister Moya (predeceased) and younger brothers Robin and Martin (predeceased).  Shirley attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Westhill and Hammersmith, where she thrived playing netball and tennis.  She was Games Captain for many years and received the highest honour of the Nth Badge in recognition of her commitment and success in sport.  She attended the London Hospital School of Physiotherapy for her training and qualified as a Physiotherapist in 1957.  This was the beginning of her long, extremely rewarding and dedicated career.  She worked at several London area hospitals, with her last post before crossing the pond to Canada being at St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington where she worked in the ICU as a Physio.  This was the position that directed the rest of her career in Physio.  Once Shirley arrived in Canada in 1966, she worked in the ICU at Toronto Western until the birth of Karen.  With a move to Peterborough in 1978, Shirley began working at St. Joe’s where she stayed until the ICU move to Civic Hospital.  She retired from her rich 43-year career in 2000.  Shirley was very well respected in her profession and her career was most certainly one of the loves of her life.  The impact she made was large and she still had long lasting friendships from every hospital she worked in as well as relationships with patients she had treated over the years.
Shirley spent her retirement doing all the things that she loved; spending time with family and friends, travelling, lunching with the ladies, time at the cottage, volunteering with the Festival of Trees, gardening, and one can not forget all of the effort she put annually into the holidays and decorating her home and Christmas trees with love. 
Shirley will be deeply missed by her family, extended family and her many friends and colleagues whom she treasured so much.  A private family service will precede interment. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, February 22nd at HIGHLAND PARK FUNERAL CENTRE from 11am – 1pm.  Words of Remembrance at 12pm. In lieu of flowers, donations made in her memory to the Cancer Research Society or PRHC Foundation would be greatly appreciated.