Shirley Patricia (Newhook) Bishop

Shirley Patricia (Newhook) Bishop

19 Nov 1948 – 16 Jan 2023

On the evening of January 16, 2023, Shirley Bishop of St. John’s passed away suddenly after a lengthy battle against lung cancer at age 74 years.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, Albert Charles and Ella Florence (Moore) Newhook, and her parents-in-law, Walter L.J. and Violet (Jackson) Bishop, her brothers and sisters in-law: Albertha Bishop, Cyril Groves, Cecile Marchand, and David Reid.

Leaving to mourn with fond, loving memories, her husband of over 53 years, Walter A. “John” Bishop, their four children and two grandchildren: including son Timothy Bishop, daughter Jennifer Bishop, daughter Elizabeth and husband Cory Branton and their son Jacob; and son Walter L. Bishop and his daughter Amanda Bishop.

Shirley will be deeply missed by her siblings: Joyce Thorne (Cyril), Francis Newhook, Velma Reid, Ruby Reid (Larry), Barbara Legge (George), Kevin Newhook, and Norma Cumby (Jeff); and her brothers and sisters in-law: Bessie Groves, Raymond Marchand, Ruby Legge (Hayward), Joyce Dobbie (Thomas), Roy Bishop (Pearl), Gordon Bishop (Evelyn), Elaine Sooley (Hermon), Terry Bishop, and Donna Bishop. Besides her Aunt Eva Drover, she also leaves many nieces and nephews, other family members and dear friends, who will remember her fondly.

A childhood “tomboy”, Shirley loved to help her father haul logs from the woods or help tend to the gardens.  Otherwise, you would find her minding the hockey goal for the boys down on the ice in Old Shop. She shared her outdoor passion making many camping, woodcutting, hunting, and fishing trips with her husband and children. And later passed on her skills for mussel-digging, berry-picking, gardening, and more to her precious grandchildren.

Shirley left a long and varied career that included retail, banking, public service, gardening, and cleaning services only to become an active member of the community and dedicated caregiver to her children and grandchildren. Shirley was known to many in Kilbride as the one to call for help with doing taxes, canvassing for charities, mowing neighbors’ lawns, sharing some fresh Caplin, Neighborhood Watch, or just helping a neighbor-in-need.

Cremation has taken place. The funeral service will be held from St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Blaketown on Monday, January 23rd at 2:00pm. Please join us prior to and after the service at St. Barnabas Hall between 12 noon – 4 pm, for an informal memorial to share a prayer, pictures, and stories.  We will be having light refreshments and potluck snacks, so your contributions will be greatly appreciated. The family would like to thank everyone for their love and kindness during this difficult time, it is greatly appreciated. Special thanks go to all the health care workers at the Dr.H Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre, and the Emergency Department of the Health Science Centre.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holy Spirit Anglican Cemetery Fund for Old Shop or a charity of one’s choice.