Obituary of Shirley Patricia Martyn Fishlock

Shirley Patricia Martyn Fishlock

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear mother Shirley Fishlock on Friday, July 5, 2024, at Port Hope Extendicare. Shirley was 94 years old. She left behind her three children, Robert, Lawrence and Janet; and her four grandchildren, Evan, Dylan, Travis and Ethan; her daughter-in-law Urszula Kaczmarczyk and son-in-law Phil Redford. She was dearly loved by all and will be sorely missed.

Shirley was born in 1929 to David and Gwladys Rogers, in the village of Lisvane, Wales (Cymru), located on the edge of the City of Cardiff. She was one of six children – her twin brother Dennis, sisters Mary and June, and younger brothers Glynn and Alan. All pre-deceased. Shirley's family subsequently moved to nearby Taff's Well, where she remained until her early 20s. There she met her future husband, Percy Fishlock, while working for the B. Elliott machine tool company. In 1953 they were married and decided to emigrate to the little-known Town of Port Hope, Ontario. They were part of a team of British immigrants who would establish a new manufacturing and distribution facility for the B. Elliott company. Within two years of arriving in Port Hope, Shirley and Percy had their first child, Robert, soon to be followed by Lawrence and Janet.

During their early years in Port Hope Shirley and Percy blended easily into its small town life and made many life-long friends. They were avid bridge players and socialized extensively. While Shirley focused on raising their young children, she also supported Percy as he pursued his career with the B. Elliot company. This ultimately involved relocating the family to Toronto in 1966, when Percy's employer decided to be closer to the business center of the country. However, they would return to Port Hope in the mid 1980s, after Percy's retirement.

Throughout their lives Shirley and Percy were devoted to each other and to their children and grandchildren. Shirley strongly encouraged her family to work hard and excel, which they did. She had a liberal mind, a feisty spirit, and always supported the underdog. No doubt a trait she inherited from her father, who was a lifelong communist and Welsh nationalist. She loved to debate social issues and had an inquisitive and caring mind. She also enjoyed singing (she was Welsh), painting, golfing, curling and of course, a good card game.

After Percy died in 2009, ending 56 years of marriage, Shirley moved to live next door to Robert in Port Hope, where she remained into her late 80s. However, by 2021, a lengthy struggle with diabetes had reduced her mobility to such an extent that she had to move into the Extendicare long-term facility in Port Hope, where she ended her years.

Shirley's family wishes to thank all the caregivers at Extendicare Port Hope and Susan Bailey, her long-time domestic helper, for their care and support of Shirley.

A funeral service is planned for Monday, July 29, 1 pm, at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, located at 33 Pine Street North, Port Hope. The service will be followed by a reception at the adjoining church hall.

Donations may be made in Shirley's memory to St. John's Church at: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/B7WGC0YAYVMRB/checkout/7YBL4OV7LW35H CYTOSEDPQB3

or by mail to St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 33 Pine Street North, Port Hope, Ontario, Canada L1A 3G5.