Westmount
It is with profound sadness and sorrow that we, the family, announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, nana, sister, auntie, neighbour, and friend, Shirley (Stewart) Gaede on Friday, March 3, 2023, in the An Cala Palliative Care Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, at the age of 73.
Born May 19, 1949, and raised in Whitney Pier, Shirley was the daughter of the late Elroy Stewart, Amherst, and Iris (Reid) Stewart, North Sydney.
Shirley is survived by her loving husband, David Gaede; children, Ted, Westmount, Stewart (Sylvie), Ontario, Amber, Westmount, and Samantha (Neil Gascoyne), Westmount; grandchildren, Ryan (Emily), Jacob, Owen, Aiden, Lucas, David, Daniel, Caelin, Nathaniel, Maelle, and Theodore; siblings, Heather, Barry (Margie), Elroy (Mary), Donnie (Paula) and Lee (Susan); as well as her nieces and nephews, all of whom she held dearly in her heart. Shirley’s grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she enjoyed a unique and special bond with each and every one of them.
Besides her parents, Shirley was predeceased by her niece, Roxanna.
Shirley celebrated 52 years of marriage with her husband David, a tag team who raised four children and prided themselves on making their home welcoming to all. They were well known for their backyard “Gaede Bashes” with no shortage of good food, drink, and entertainment with family, friends and neighbours.
Shirley thrived on other people’s comfort and joy. She was a loving caregiver, providing daycare and after-school care for many families on Braemar Drive. Her special knack for listening was to be admired, and her signature snacks of bikini squares, spider cookies and pork pies (and Shirley was the maker of the BEST pie crust) gave the children she cared for, and adults alike, the comfort to open up, slow down and just be. She will be missed by so many life-long friends who were always welcomed around her kitchen table.
A special thank you to Dr. Ryan Kelly and Dr. Saneea Abboud for their care and compassion, as well as the remarkable nurses and staff at 4C and the An Cala Unit who took care of Shirley in her time of need.
A Celebration of Life for the late Shirley Gaede will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation or our Autism NS Cape Breton Region Chapter in honour of her special grandson ‘Nate the Great’ with whom she shared a beautiful bond.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
No winter without a spring
And beyond the dark horizon
Our hearts will once more sing ….
For those who leave us for a while
Have only gone away
Out of a restless, care worn world
Into a brighter day
Helen Steiner Rice
Online Condolences
My sincere condolences to you all. Shirley was a beautiful soul and it was my absolute pleasure to be able to care for her in her time of need. Such a beautiful smile every morning. Her suffering is ow over, may she finally be at peace and your family as well. Hugs to you all.
From: Anita McVicar
My deepest condolences to your family during this difficult time.
From: Barb Nichol
Samantha and all, I am saddened to hear of Shirley’s passing. She was a wonderful person! God bless.
From: Paul
David & Family:
Shocked and dismade at shirley’s passing. I always remember her as a caring and funny person. I am sure that you will miss her and may she rest in the love of Our Lord. My deepest condolence to you and your family.
From: David Marsh
David
Sorry to hear of your wife’s passing. Condolences to the family
From: RAYMOND LEFORT
To Amber and the entire Gaede family, please accept my sincerest sympathies at your tremendous loss. I know your hearts are broken at the loss of your Mom.
From: Janice Pottie
I’m so sorry for you loss, my prayers and love being sent to you.
Amber my deepest sympathies on the passing of your mom. Keep all those wonderful memories alive as you will take comfort from them now and in the future. Everyone remarks about her smile, she would want you to smile in her memory.
Beaver, Susan & Family
Sending our deepest sympathy💕 at this time.
A.F.F.A.
Doddy & Bobby
Our deepest condolences to Dave and the children…she was a sweet lady .. always had a smile.. R.I.P. Shirley
I am so sad to read this and
so very deeply sorry for your family’s enormous loss. Hugs. Xoxox
Susan & Gordie Farmer
My sincere condolences to the Gaede and Stewart family. Shirley was a very loving person who made everyone whose life she touched feel so special. She will be missed.
Shirley was such a beautiful soul who LOVED everyone she met. I loved hanging out there when we were kids. Welcomed all with open arms. I will miss you dearly Shirley. Forever in my heart. ❤
Big hugs to Dave, Ted, Stewart, Amber and Sammy and all your beautiful families. The memories will move you all forward. Xxxx
you have my deepest sympathy. Shirley was one of a kind. She always seemed to me to be the cement that held our neigborhood
Shirley was an earth angel Always with a smile and kind word Knock on her door and you would always hear come in and sit down and talk to me Heaven has a great angel Sympathy to the Gaede family on such a loss Love Sharon &Lynn Pollock
Beaver, Susan and family I’m so very sorry for your loss. May precious memories sustain you all.
Donnie, Paula and the Gaede family, our sincere condolences to you at this most difficult time
Beaver, Susan & Families
Our sincere sympathy on the loss of your sister ,our thoughts & prayers are with you all 🙏🙏
Shirley truly was a beautiful person. We have special memories of the care and love she had for everyone, and we couldn’t have asked for someone better to care for our daughter when we needed someone to trust, Shirley was there with her overwhelming love and tender heart.
She will be missed for sure and we extend condolences to Dave, Teddy, Stewart, Amber and Samantha and their families. ❤️
Ted and family,
Kathy and I would like to offer our most sincere condolences. This is a very tough and trying time that you will be going through but please remember that all the great memories and love of family will help that time go by much smoother and quicker. Keeping you in our thoughts!
Paul and Kathy Smelser
My sincere condolences to the Gaede and Stewart families. Shirley was a very special lady who made a lasting impact on the many lives she touched.
So very sorry for your families loss. My thoughts are with you all.
Very sad to learn of Shirleys passing. A wonder person and personality. Always met up with her in later years enjoying family outings at Black Brook .
Condolences to family.
Rest In Peace cousin.You will be missed.
Bruce and Diane Clarke
Amber my heart breaks for you on the loss of your mom. Roger & I send our condolence and prayers to you and your family. As I spoke to you Amber, always keep in mind of all the beautiful memories you had of your mom. These memories will get you through the difficult times ahead.
Much love and hugs…..
I am so sorry to read this. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May cherished memories provide comfort and bring you peace.
Sending special hugs to all!
Beaver, Susan and family,
So sorry for your loss. Sending love and prayers.
Kim Fifield
Sam and family: so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers with you all.
Alfredine
Sam & family my heart breaks for everyone .Your Mom was one beautiful & special woman .I will treasure forever all our talks over a great cup of tea along with the Best Pork Pies Ever or a cranberry scone or a piece of cake she was one awesome Baker !!! She always had a big smile for me and for everyone and would say right away here sit with me & have a cup of tea .She loved all her grandchildren so much you could just see it in her eyes and her smile as she spoke about them .She will missed by everyone but please remember she will always be in your Heart and in all the Beautiful Memories you all made with her .My deepest condolences.
With great sadness iam so sorry to here of shirley passing she was loved by everyone who know her always had a smile and a hug for everyone she will be greatly missed rest in peace my dear cousin
Sam and Family
So sorry to read about the loss of your mom. . Our deepest condolences and prayers to you all during this difficult time.
Very sorry for your loss Dave! Shirley will be remembered by a number of CG cadets and others as a kind hearted person,
My condolences to you and your family Dave!
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all at this time, sending much love and our deepest sympathy. x
Farewell our lovely cousin Shirley. Until we meet again You will be sadly missed from Roy ,Julie and all over the pond
What a beautiful obituary for a beautiful woman for a childhood ( Ferris St) neighbor and friend…my thoughts and prayers going out to the Stewart and Garden families
R.I.P Shirley
Such a great loss and so sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with everyone whoes hearts were touched by this special lady. Shirley will forever live on in your hearts, memories, thoughts, traditions. My condolences and thoughts are with you all.
Massive hugs from across the pond.
Beaver, Susan, Heather, and families,
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Rest easy, Shirley.
We are very sorry for your loss.
Bert and Maurina Lewis
Garden Family. We are so sorry for your loss.Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. May the fond memories you hold deep within your heart help you through this most difficult time.
Dave, I am saddened to hear of Shirley’s passing. As a cadet from the CCGC Class of 82 I remember her as such a wonderful and welcoming person every time we dropped by your house in Westmount. Cherish all the great family memories and your time together.
My deepest condolences,
Iain Findlater,
CCGC Class of ‘82 Eng
Sorry to hear of her passing,.our condolences and prayers are with you all.from Leslie and Beverly Space
To the Stewartand Gaede family my deepest condolences so sorry for your loss
Lee, Susan and Family: Sending our deepest condolences during this time of sadness. Today and always may wonderful memories help to bring you peace, comfort and strength.
My thoughts and most sincere sympathies are extended to all family members and friends. Thinking of you all at this sad time.
Heart felt love and condolences to the family of our lovely Shirley from all of your UK cousins. Many memories of us all growing up at 103 Ferris Street. She will be greatly missed by us all. Rest in Peace Shirley.
From Moureen, Roy, Julie and Paul
so sorry for your loss our sincere condolences to all her family
Joe and I were both shocked and saddened to read of Shirley’s passing. The world was a better place with Shirley in it. A truly wonderful women; always so pleasant and kind to everyone. She took great care of Emma, Ben, and our dog Molly for a period of time. Braemar Drive has definitely lost a great soul. Our condolences to Dave, Sam, Amber, and the entire Family.
To all of you, our sincere condolences. She was a very special woman and I know she will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I hope you find space to cherish her memory and celebrate her life with family.
The Gosse Family
My heart is with all of you. I’ll always hold fond memories of Shirley & the kindness she showed me over the years. I remember how She opened her home to us for our wedding pictures & made Dave shovel out the gazebo after a blizzard so we could get the perfect picture ❤️. Rest in peace Shirley
Amber so sorry to hear about your mother. Mother’s are the best. The lord is my shepherd I shall not want. Your friend Kym Mac Leod