Shirley Joan Bagnell (Smith)
Passed 06/17/2023
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Obituary For Shirley Joan Bagnell (Smith)
Loving wife, mother, grandmother, community volunteer, and friend Shirley Joan Bagnell, 89, died peacefully on June 17th, 2023 at Hospice Halifax, but the joy, laughter and love she shared with those close to her remain in their hearts.
Born in 1934 in Halifax, eldest child of Frank and Marion (Tully) Smith, Shirley graduated from Acadia University, and worked for an insurance company in Halifax before moving to Dartmouth with her husband Glen to raise their four boys.
As her sons and grandchildren grew, she would cheer them on at hockey, volleyball and soccer games. She was also the lady clapping enthusiastically at school concerts.
At home, she created a welcoming, fun and safe space for her sons’ friends. She treated them like her own, and to them she was Mrs. B.
Community service was a lifelong passion for Shirley. She found time to volunteer on the boards of Dartmouth Pre-School, Dartmouth branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, and both the Canadian and Kiwanis International Young Children: Priority One programs.
Her love of children took her into classrooms where new Canadians were among the students eager to hear her read to them. For many years she dressed up as Mother Goose for story time at the Kiwanis waterfront festival.
She gave Kiwanis International 30 years as an active member of the service group. Her roles included serving as President of the Dartmouth City of Lakes Kiwanis Club, and Lt. Governor of Division 20 Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Kiwanis Clubs.
Shirley and Glen traveled the world together. During the years Glen was Kiwanis International President and on the organization’s board, they traveled to Kiwanis Districts around the world and participated in many community service projects. Among them, they supported a bed kit program that distributed bedding and other supplies in the Philippines and Thailand through the Sleeping Children Around the World Foundation. For her distinguished community service she was recognized by the Kiwanis International Foundation and the Kiwanis Foundation of Canada.
Shirley is survived by Glen, loving husband of 65 years, son Stephen (Vancouver) and daughter Cassandra and her mother Clara Hesson; son Dr. Peter and wife Denyse (Port Williams, NS) and their sons William (fiancée, Sarah Lynch), and Ross; and son Kenneth and partner Elizabeth Chiu (Halifax), son Stewart and daughter Kate and their mother Sara Murray. Shirley is also survived by her brother Wayne (Toronto), his daughter Rev. Lisa Chisholm-Smith and his son Jeffrey. She also leaves behind her brother Phillip and his wife Sheila (Sackville, NS). Shirley and Glen’s son Paul passed away in 1984.
Shirley’s love of children knew no bounds, especially for her five grandchildren to whom she was Nana.
A private family service will be held with her niece Rev. Lisa Chisholm-Smith and her husband Rev. Canon Andrew Chisholm presiding.
Family will receive friends on July 5 at 7pm at Austenville Owls Club, 34 Oakdale Crescent on Lake Banook in Dartmouth.
For those wishing to pay tribute to Shirley, her family asks friends to consider making donations in her memory at www.hospicehalifax.ca/donate so others can also experience tender, loving end-of-life care.
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Condolences
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10/18/2024
Glen, I just read this about Shirley passing away. I don't know what to say but I'm so sorry. I loved her so much. Please take care of yourself. My heart is very sad Shirley Keen Past West Virginia Governor 1998-99
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07/18/2023
I always remember her as a sweet, kind lady with a wonderful smile. As a teenager I would babysit so Shirley & Glen could have a night out. Happened to see her a few years ago and she knew me right away after all these years. I am so sorry for your loss - never easy to loose those we love. Loreen (Leslie) MacDonald
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07/15/2023
So sorry to hear the News about Shirley. I've known her my whole life. It's hard to accept she is gone . Shirley and my Mother Edna, would move their families to Pugwash every summer. We would eat out of the garden , play on the shore and basically run wild all summer long. They gave us the gift of 1,000 wonderful memories. Horseshoe tournaments, homemade ice cream cranked by hand and rambunctious games of "Cannie - Can" Our time here is all too short but Shirley made the most of it. She was kind to everyone always had a cheery word to offer. Rest easy "Mommy Shirley"
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07/05/2023
My deepest condolences to and your family
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06/25/2023
Dear Glenn, Ken and Family. Sorry to read about your loss. I remember Shirley from my days on the Natal Day Committee. To my mind she was the quintessential volunteer because while dressed in long sleeved cotton ? " Mother Goose " costume on a humid , hazy day in August , she stoically ignored how warm she must have been , in order to interact with the children at Ferry Terminal Park and provide them with lots of fun and wonderful memories. I have admired Shirley ever since. Please accept my sympathies. Sincerely, Sean Layden ,Dartmouth.
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06/24/2023
Ken and family, Condolences on the loss of your mother. May you cherish the many memories you have.
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06/24/2023
Glen and family - I was so saddened to hear of Shirley passing, she truly was a lovely person. I have such fond memories of growing up across the street from her on Raymoor Drive. I have a vivid memory of her coming out of the house, most likely on her way to a Kiwanis function - she was dressed so elegantly, long dress, long white gloves - to me she was our "Jackie O". Please know that your family is in my prayers at this sad time. Christine (Dixon) McGinnis
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06/24/2023
Glen and family. So very sad to learn of Shirley's passing. She was a special lady and will be missed. Our deepest and sincerest sympathy. Carolyn & Mel
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06/24/2023
Glen and Family: Our deepest sympathy to you all. Shirley was a beautiful person. Shirley and Deryk Smith
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06/23/2023
Glen and Family: It is with sadness that we express sympathy on your loss. Cousin Shirley was a delight - such a gracious manner and welcoming smile. Your tribute to her certainly speaks to the impact Shirley had on so many - she will be sorely missed. Glen, I still hold in my memory a wedding photo of you and Shirley at the door of the church. We were still living in Victoria. BC then and I had no experience of any family wedding; I am sure that is why that photo was, and is, so memorable - it was a first for me! Thinking of you all. Love, Chris & Cynthia (Smith) Pilichos
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06/23/2023
Hi Glen and family So sorry to hear about Shirley's passing. What a beautiful person and so welcoming. Glad Douglas and I got to visit both of you on Baker Drive. I have always remembered her as a kind person but obviously she was more than that and her obituary is a great testimony of the accomplishments of such a great person. Glen your 65 years of marriage is a testimony in and of itself. She will missed of course but admired for many years to come. Please accept our sincere and deepest condolences on her passing. With Love from Robert and Ellie Bethune.
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06/23/2023
So sorry to hear of Shirley's passing, my sincere condolences to the entire family. We had the good fortune to be next door neighbours with the Bagnell's in Dartmouth back in the 70's. Mrs B had an open door policy for my brothers and I'm pretty sure they were there at least part of every day. No matter how busy she was she always had a smile and a hello for the kids in the neighbourhood. May you rest in peace Mrs B.
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06/23/2023
Deepest condolences to the family of the late Shirley Joan Bagnell David S. Jenkins and June A. MacLeod-Donald
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06/23/2023
Glen and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Please accept our deepest sympathies . Tom and Jewell Bateman
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06/23/2023
Glenn and Family, We are so sad to learn of Shirley,s passing.Such a great loss. Shirley was a lovely lady and we enjoyed seeing her at the hockey games, always smiling and happy to be watching the games. Glenn you and Shirley were a pleasure to spend time with and thank you for sharing her with us. Our deepest Sympathy to you and your family. Jo-Ann and Frank
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06/23/2023
Glen and family. We are so sorry for your loss. Shirley was a very gracious and sweet lady, and we missed her when you left LBW. We are thinking of you during this difficult time. Sincerely, Pat and Patrick Berrigan
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06/23/2023
Sincere condolences to Glenn and family. The loss of a dear loved one is life changing. Praying for you during your time of grief and loss. Cherish your precious memories as you continue your journey and live each day being thankful. God bless. 🙏🏽🕊️
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