Obituary of Shirley Newcomb

Helen "Shirley" Newcomb   

Just before sunrise on Mother's Day, May 12, 2019, Shirley slipped away peacefully, surrounded by nieces and nephews.  How appropriate this seemed for a lady who, in spite of having no children of her own, has mothered us all.  

Born in Cambridge, Hants County, on December 21, 1931, Shirley was a daughter of the late Cecil and Maud (Spearing) Newcomb.  Shirley attended school in a one room schoolhouse in Cambridge before moving to Halifax where she attended high school.  She taught school in Cambridge for a short time before enrolling in the nursing program at the Children's Hospital in Halifax.  After graduating she worked at the Children's Hospital before moving to Windsor to work at the Payzant Memorial Hospital, and later, the Hants Community Hospital.   

Shirley spent her time between the homestead in Cambridge and her apartment in Windsor.  She was a long time member of the Avonport Gospel Hall.  She loved to garden, both vegetables and flowers, and her gardens got larger every year.  She enjoyed music, and played both the accordion and piano.  Shirley enjoyed cooking, baking, travel and photography, but most of all, family.   

Shirley is survived by sisters Margaret Vail, Ohio; Jean Newcomb, Falmouth; and Byrne (Vern) Burgess, Mississauga;

sister-in-law Jackie Newcomb, Pembroke; and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by sisters Gale (James) Simm; Anne (Enos) Gavel; brothers Howard (Rose Marie); twin brother John; and brother-in-law Nelson Vail.  

The family would like to thank Dr. Cathryn Smith, who made it possible for Shirley to be transferred from Halifax and spend her final hours in her home hospital, where the two had worked together for many years.  

Visitation will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 1:00 pm followed by funeral service at 2, both in the J Wilson Allen Funeral Home, Summerville, Rev. Garnet Parker officiating. Private family burial following the service at High Head Cemetery, Cambridge, with a reception following the burial at the New Horizons Centre, Bramber.  

Family flowers only; donations may be made to Palliative Care at Hants Community Hospital or High Head Cemetery.  

Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of the J. Wilson Allen Funeral Home, 4646 Hwy 215, Summerville, ph-1-902-633-2431 or please visit our web site at www.allenfh.ca to sign the guest book and send private condolences