Obituary of Shirley-Dale Easley

Shirley-Dale (Belmore) Easley began her life in Wittenburg, Nova Scotia on February 21, 1942. She grew up in her cherished home, Caribou Gold Mines, NS. She died February 7, 2012 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital encircled by the blessing of her beloved family. She was courageous in her battle with cancer but did not let the disease define her. Shirley-Dale moved through her days with laughter and a determination to enjoy life. In each new experience another dimension of her soul danced. She never allowed the expectations of others to create her destiny. She lived in rhythm with her free spirit. Her intelligence and curiosity led her to explore the world. With each journey she shared a deep introspection of many cultures. Her open heartedness left an indelible impression on all she met especially the people of Bhutan who cherished her appreciation for their spiritual landscape. Shirley-Dale was happiest when immersed in her family. Their love for each other unfolded through music, humor, story telling and a celebration of their heritage. She was a devoted mother who taught her children to love life, to nurture people and to appreciate the divinity of nature. She allowed Rob, Tom and Julie to shape their own biography, and she celebrated their individuality. Shirley-Dale was a master teacher. Her awards reflected recognition of this special gift. She received the Roy Hill Award and The Hillroy Fellowship. Her most recent award was the 2012 provincial Pat Ball Award for outstanding leadership in the field of education. She loved fine books and was a free-lance writer for Literary Travel. She is an award winning fiction writer and the author of five published books. Shirley-Dale was the founder and coordinator for the “Books For Bhutan” project collecting over six thousand donated children’s books in Canada and sending them to rural and remote schools in Bhutan. This project was started in memory of her mother, author and writer Eleanor Belmore, who believed we see the world through books. She is survived by her three children, Robert (Louice) Easley, Runtorp, Sweden, Thomas (Betty Cougle) Easley, Halifax, NS, Julie Easley, Durham Bridge, NB; beloved grandchildren, Clara, Astrid, Joel and Eleanor; sisters, Bonnie Price (Errol Goudey), Smith’s Cove, NS, Dianne Englund (Roy), Halifax, NS, Glenda Burrows (Ken), Wellington, NS, Betty Belmore (Bill Stevenson), Halifax, NS, Kathy Didkowsky (John), West Gore, NS; brother, Roderick Belmore (Gail) Danville, PA; sixteen loving nieces and nephews and thirteen grand-nieces and nephews. Shirley-Dale was predeceased by her father, Bernard Belmore and her mother, Eleanor (Taylor) Belmore. She leaves an incalculable number of friends who loved her for the light she gave by her presence in their lives. Shirley-Dale taught us all how to live in this world with optimism and compassion. She taught us how to leave it having lived a life worthwhile. Visitation will take place at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive on Saturday, February, 11, 2012 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. A Celebration of Shirley-Dale’s life will take place at York Funeral Home’s T. Gordon MacLeod Memorial Chapel on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 2 pm. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Arthritis Society (Juvenile). Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com