Obituary of Mary 'Shirley' O'Leary

It is with great sorrow that the family of Shirley O’Leary announce her death which occurred peacefully on November 4, 2014, at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born in Truro, Nova Scotia in 1932, Shirley was the daughter of the late Lorne and Beatrice (Tait) MacKay, and devoted wife to the late Donald O’Leary. Shirley was educated in Prince Edward Island and Sackville, NB where she graduated from high school. She then continued on studying nursing at the St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, graduating in 1954. As a woman of deep faith, and a strong work ethic, Shirley devoted her life to her two passions- her family and her nursing career. During her 40 years of nursing, retiring in 1994, "Sure Shot", as she was affectionately known, was instrumental in pioneering and heading the IV Therapy Team at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She was a great advocate and lobbyist for pensions for Registered Nurses. Shirley was, to the end, a consummate nurse, friend, and teacher, taking great joy in her career as care-giver. Shirley loved to bowl, read, and knit in her spare time, especially for her grandchildren. Always ready for a road trip, Nana loved to travel, be that to the "States" to watch the dog races, or just a Sunday drive to Ossie’s, "Nana" was in the car! As much as Shirley loved her nursing career and her coworkers, nothing could compare to her love of her family. To Nana, life revolved around her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who to her are, and will remain, perfect. This love of family extended outward to many nieces, nephews, and friends that she loved and cared for. Shirley always put others before herself. The definition of love is Shirley O’Leary. Shirley will be missed by her children: Donald "Coug" (Judy) of Guelph, Ontario, Cathy O’Leary (Alan Smith) of Saint John, and Paul (Suzanne) of Saint John; grandchildren: Allyson (Tyler) Langille, Heidi "Spanky" (Chris) Burnham, and Ryan, Christopher, and Brendan O’Leary; great-grandchildren: Reese and Brooke Langille, Elizabeth "Libby", Madeline and Charlotte Burnham, and special chosen great-grandson, Logan Foster. Also surviving are brothers: Donald (Judy) MacKay of Ottawa and Michael (Judy) MacKay of Edmonton; sister, Ann ("Billy") Sullivan of Saint John; sister-in-law, Barbara MacKay of Sackville; brother-in-law, John (Bud) O’Leary, and dear friend and sister-in-law, Joan, special friend and mother to Ryan and Christopher (Beth) O’Leary. Shirley was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Donald, and her brother, Lorne. The family, at this time, would like to acknowledge and thank all the caregivers and volunteers in both the Palliative Care Unit and Family Medicine at the Saint John Regional Hospital for all their dedication to Shirley and the family. We would also like to thank Doctors Will and Chris O’Brien for their guidance and compassion on Shirley’s journey. Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424) with visiting on Thursday, November 6 and Friday, November 7, 2014 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Pius X Church on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 10 am. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances to Sophia Recovery Centre, Divine Mercy Catholic School, St. Pius Church, the Cathedral Restoration Fund, or a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated. Online condolences and remembrances may be placed at www.brenansfh.com .