Faithful Servant

Remembering Shirley

Shirley never stopped ministering, but continued to give encouragement and seek opportunities to point others to Jesus.

What a joy to remember Shirley Whitehead! Those of us privileged to call her friend will never forget her.

Over the past few years, Shirley down-sized from the three-bedroom suite she shared with co-worker Rosie de Montmorency, to a onebedroom apartment. Health concerns necessitated transitioning to assisted living and then to personal care. But Shirley up-sized on March 26 of this year when she passed from this world to heaven.

Although life had become difficult and she longed to be with Jesus, she stayed positive and enjoyed most days, almost until the end. Shirley identified with the apostle Paul, who longed both to stay and to go (Philippians 1:21-23). “Either way,” Shirley often said, “I win.”

Shirley stayed true to her call of full-time ministry, which she experienced shortly after her 1952 graduation from Toronto Bible College (now Tyndale University). She and Rosie joined Canadian Sunday School Mission (now One Hope Canada) within the year.

The pair served faithfully, first in rural Manitoba Sunday schools, Bible clubs, and school classes. Later, their ministry expanded to Bible camps and children’s crusades across Canada. Theirs was a fruitful ministry, with many children coming to Christ and growing in faith. One joy of being with Shirley in later years was meeting others who were also visiting her. Sometimes it was a person who had come to Christ as a child in Shirley and Rosie’s clubs, crusades, or camps.

On occasion I asked Shirley, “Did you ever do ministry in ______?” or “Did you ever meet _____ ?” Often, she’d reply, “Yes, of course.” Then she’d get out the binder which chronicled their meetings and provide me with details and memories. Even after retirement in 1992, Shirley never stopped ministering, but continued to give encouragement and seek opportunities to point others to Jesus.

At the time of Shirley’s passing, the pandemic prevented us from visiting her until the last few days of her life. Now, almost half a year later, we still have not been able to have a memorial service to praise God for her and celebrate her life and ministry. However, as we find opportunity to stay in touch with some of Shirley’s closest friends, how easily conversation moves to her faithfulness to the Lord, her special Friend.

Shirley Whitehead was definitely a faithful servant!

Rosie de Montmorency and Shirley Whitehead worked together to share the love of Jesus with children across the country using puppets, story-telling, drawing and more.