Eccott, Shirley Ann
(nee Griffin)
April 10, 1933- November 7, 2016
Shirley Ann Eccott passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on November 7th, 2016, in Kelowna BC. She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Jim Eliot; four children; David (Barb), Carol (Bryan) Anderson, Geoffrey (Lynda) and Barbara (Kim) Scoville; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Shirley Ann, an only child, was born in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. Her father Bill Griffin, born in Bladworth, Saskatchewan, was an RCMP officer with two siblings. Her mother Helen Griffin (Simpson), was born in England and had 16 brothers and sisters.
Shirley Ann attended UBC where she studied Social Work, was an active member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and where she also met her future husband, Jim. Jim and Shirley Ann lived in many towns and cities throughout Canada, developing lifelong friendships with people they met. Ultimately, they settled in Kelowna, where they have lived for the last 45 years.
After graduating from university, Shirley Ann pursued her love of helping others and began her career in Social Work. In later years, she managed a successful portfolio of clients at Capri Insurance in Kelowna until her retirement in 2008. In the spirit of helping others, Shirley Ann served on the Board of the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation. Upon retirement she was given a lifetime membership to the Foundation Board.
Above all else, Shirley Ann loved her family. Nothing made her happier than to spend time surrounded by her children and grandchildren, especially if it was on one of the family’s annual trips to Napili Kai in Maui. A loving and caring wife, she adored her husband and together they shared laughs and many special moments, watched their family grow and enjoyed the life they had built. As the matriarch of the family, it wasn’t unusual for Shirley Ann to be ensuring that all family members were kept in line, especially her husband Jim. This was a role that she handled in a firm but quiet manner.
Shirley Ann was the warmest, kindest person on the face of the earth. She cherished all people and always found the best in them. She taught her children and grandchildren to love everybody and everything. A continuous stream of horses, dogs, cats, birds, goats, donkeys and more, brought many smiles to someone who would not have harmed anything in the world. Shirley Ann was a wonderful woman with a kind heart and a gentle soul.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Jan McIntosh, the staff at Hawthorne - Orchard Manor and Shirley Ann’s long time caregiver Jodi Megas for their professional care and unwavering love and compassion.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 21 at 1:00 pm at St. Michael and All Angels Cathedral Church, 608 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, B.C, with a reception to follow at the Kelowna Golf and Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, 2268 Pandosy Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1T2. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com, 250-860-7077.
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”