Obituary of Helen Shirley Wilson

<p><strong>HELEN SHIRLEY WILSON</strong></p> <p>Following a brief illness, Helen Shirley (Anderson) Wilson passed away in Toronto on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 in her 100^th year.  Born in Burnt Church, New Brunswick on September 17, 1917, she was the daughter of the late William Stafford Anderson and Huldah Jane Morrison.</p> <p> </p> <p>She was educated at the University of New Brunswick and there met her first husband, Harry Edward Park (Hep) Wilson, who predeceased her in 1989.  Her second husband, Donald Kenneth Alexander, predeceased her in 2012.  She is survived by her children, Wendy Burnett (Sandy), Keith Wilson (Jane), and Dawn McConnell (Malcolm); grandchildren Rob Wilson, Lynn Nina, Brad Wilson, Kim Ryan, Colin Burnett, and Meaghan, Chelsea, and Chloe McConnell; fourteen great-grandchildren; and ten great-great-grandchildren.  Another grandson, Angus Burnett, predeceased her in 2016.</p> <p> </p> <p>A model of strength, courage and determination, she was a true matriarch to her extended family, encouraging their curiosity about the world around them, promoting their enthusiastic love of an active life, and teaching them the value of mutual respect, affection and loyalty.  Those values were also evident in her commitment to community causes, whether as a Red Cross volunteer, as a Liberal Party activist, or as the Algoma District Commissioner of the Girl Guides of Canada.</p> <p> </p> <p>An accomplished athlete from her days at UNB onward, she remained an avid curler, tennis player and golfer for much of her life.  An outstanding painter, her canvasses captured a colourful record of the many places where the family lived over the years.  Despite those frequent moves, she created a warm, loving and beautiful home wherever they found themselves.</p> <p> </p> <p>The family wishes to express sincere gratitude for the extraordinary support and assistance of Natalie, Arlene, Cathy, and the other dedicated staff members at the Claremont Residence who did so much to make Shirley feel at home.</p> <p> </p> <p>There will be no funeral service at this time, but a celebration of her life for family and friends will take place this summer at Burnt Church.  In desired, donations in memory of Shirley Wilson may be in support of the W. Stafford Anderson Scholarship Fund, payable to the University of New Brunswick, Development Office, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, or on line at: <a href="https://donations.helpforcharities.com/unbdonation/?dept_id=memwanderson&memory_of=Shirley%20Wilson%20">https://donations.helpforcharities.com/unbdonation/?dept_id=memwanderson&memory_of=Shirley Wilson </a></p>