Obituary
We are sad to announce the death of Shirley Yvonne Bougourd (nee Stiff).
She died January 14th, 2025, at the age of 90 in Toronto, Canada.
Shirley leaves behind her husband William, and her two beloved sons Michael (Christine), and Neil (Allison). She also leaves behind her grandsons Tom and Kin, and her adored granddaughter Charlotte, as well as her great-grandchildren Olivia and Jace. Shirley also leaves many nephews, nieces, extended family, and friends who will miss her dearly.
Shirley was born in Birdwell, Yorkshire and grew up in England. Her father died on the beaches of Normandy, and her mother raised 6 children alone. Shirley had fond memories of Christmases in Yorkshire with her brothers and sister singing “Blue Bells” while her mother Hilda baked cookies and mince pies.
At 16 she got her first job at Boots and never looked back. Shirley was an adventurer at heart and loved the act of creating something new. Her wanderlust took her to South Africa, Europe and eventually to Canada. She also lived with her family all over the UK: from Sussex and Cheshire to Wales and Guernsey.
Bill and Shirley were inventive and full of imagination, and they continued to move and create together throughout their lives. They started a crêpe restaurant in Toronto, Le Magasin and a nursery in Guernsey, and ran a fishing lodge in Northern Ontario. They designed their life to be challenging and never dull.
Throughout their nomadic existence they always made time for family. Bill and Shirley always lived near their boys, and often included them in their businesses. After they retired, Bill and Shirley continued to explore and travel, choosing Paris as their favourite destination. In the last ten years, Shirley continued her love of travel but stayed closer to home. With Bill at her side, she made weekly outings around the GTA, with occasional trips further afield to Niagara on The Lake and Nova Scotia.
Shirley will be remembered as a lover of music and food. She was always humming a tune and interested in trying a new wine or olive oil. Shirley had a dry wit, loved to laugh and was always elegant in dress and manner. She will be greatly missed.
She is predeceased by her sister Patricia, and her brothers Geoffrey, Frank, Gerald, and Michael along with her parents Hilda Butler (nee Laughton) and Bertram Geoffrey George Stiff.
Donations to the Scott Mission would be appreciated by the family
