MIKA, Shirley Barbara

Nov 13, 2013

(May 15, 1936 - November 11, 2013)

Shirley Barbara Mika of Sharbot Lake passed away peacefully, in her 78th year, at St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital, Kingston, Ontario on November 11, 2013 with her loved ones at her side. Beloved wife and best friend for 61 years of Stanley Edward Mika Jr. Loving mother and mother-in-law of Jerry (M.J.), Jamie (Shelley) and Cindy Mika (Wilf). Supportive and caring Grandma to Christina, Danny (Jess) Warren, Lianna (Mike) Johnson, Brandon, Casidhe and Dana Mika and an amazing Great Grandma to two very special twin boys, Ethan and Alex Warren. She will be greatly missed by extended family members. Predeceased by her father, Bill Burton, her brother, Kenneth Burton, her mother, Elsie Neilsen and in-laws, Lucille and Stanley Mika Sr. Shirley was born in Toronto and lived with her mom, Elsie, cousin Sandra and Sandra’s mom, Dorothy, during the Second World War years. It was a difficult time but they stuck together. At the age of 12, Shirley and her mom moved to Sharbot Lake as Elsie had found employment through an advertisement in a Toronto newspaper. Shirley attended school in Sharbot Lake. Studies came easily to her and as a very bright girl she managed to skip some grades. Aftergraduating at age 14, Shirley and best friend Pat Rose (Whan) moved to Toronto to take up employment as Bell Telephone operators. Within a short time they were able to transfer to the Kingston office which enabled them to spend much more time in Sharbot Lake where Shirley met the love of her life, Stan. At age 16, Shirley married Stan at the Sharbot Lake United Church and they began their life together on a hope and prayer, but with determination to succeed and a tremendous amount of hard work managed to create a comfortable lifestyle for their three children. Life was busy but very rewarding and eventually they were able to spend winters in Florida and enjoy ventures of their choice. In recent years, they became interested in tournament poker at which Shirley excelled and consequently gained the respect of all levels of players who were known to her. Shirley will be remembered by many for her love of life, her sense of humour (which stayed with her to the end), the amazing way she accepted and handled her illness and the strong guidance and direction she gave to those she loved which will stay with them throughout their lives. Thank you to family and friends, Palliative Care, Red Cross, St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital and all community services especially Dr. Peter Bell and Nurse Practitioner, Brenda Bonner. Cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held at a later date. Tributes may be made through Goodfellow’s Funeral Home, Parham, Ontario.