July 21, 1934 – October 13, 2021
Shirley Rose Harcourt-Vernon passed away peacefully at the Victoria Village Manor, Barrie, Ontario on October 13th, 2021. She fought a long battle with dementia related afflictions. Shirley was born in Bude, County of Cornwall, England - on July 21, 1934. Her parents were Cecil E. Woodford and Lillian May Woodford. Shirley attended school in Liskeard and Cornwall. Her banker father, had a hobby of amateur dramatics and operettas, so Shirley was recruited as a schoolgirl for acting/singing parts and getting rave reviews in the local press.
Shirley married Harry Archer in England. They immigrated to Canada on 25 April 1957, to reside in Toronto. She continued with her education, getting her B.A. from the University of Toronto, securing a Teacher/Librarian position at the North York Collegiate. They had three children - Helen Archer, Graham Archer and Laura Archer. Shirley divorced Harry Archer in 1978, and married a fellow-teacher, Hugh Harcourt-Vernon. They had a house in Toronto and bought a Coxmill Rd residence in Barrie for their week-ends. There are surviving close relatives in England, including a younger sister (Celia Robbins) and brother (Philip Woodford), and five great nieces and nephews. Shirley and Hugh supported most live theatre groups in Barrie and in Toronto, through memberships, attendance and financial funding. They actively attended Trinity Anglican Church, especially the 8 a.m. Communion service followed by breakfast at the Midway Diner. Sincere thanks are extended to Shirley's doctor, Dr. M.J. McConvey and to every care worker on the Windsor ward of Victoria Village and to the always helpful Administrator, Wendy Massarotto. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley St., Barrie, (705) 721-9921. A church service plan is pending when circumstances allow normal procedures. If desired, a memorial donation may be directed to the Trinity Anglican Church, 24 Collier St., Barrie, Ontario, Canada L4M 4V1. Online condolences and memories may be left at www.steckleygooderham.com.