Shirley was born in Sussex, NB, October 26, 1953, a daughter and one of seven children born to Pauline (Jensen) DeBow and the late Clarence DeBow. From the moment she came into this world, Shirley was so very sweet, kind and loving. She just had a way of making you smile when you spent time with her. She also had a mischievous side to her personality and loved to tease. Shirley would wait for her father to come home and at just the right time, she would slip his cap away from him and hide it. Shirley had a long list of hobbies and interests. She liked to watch her shows on TV, loved to do jigsaw puzzels and absolutely cherished her collection of stuffed animals. She enjoyed all flowers and in particular, ones with bright colours. Shirley also loved to go for drives and was a wonderful helper when it was time to do the shopping or when cooking in the kitchen. She really enjoyed listening to music and was often whistling when in the company of her family. She was a member of St. Mark’s Anglican Church and in her younger days, she was also a member of All Saints Anglican, Jeffries Corner. Shirley really enjoyed going to church. Shirley went to Opal House in Havelock shortly after it opened, in the fall of 1980. Her stay was meant to be a short, two month visit, while her mother had a brief period of hospitalization, but Shirley had other ideas. Once she moved in, she instantly felt at home and so began Shirley’s new chapter. She would of course go home with her mom and dad every weekend and at all the holidays and they would regularly drive to Havelock to see her. Although she really adored spending time with her family, Opal was truly a place of comfort and love for Shirley. Friday was “special treat day” for Shirley and much to her delight, Linda and the Staff would ensure that she got out for her “Tim’s Coffee.” Shirley will be forever loved and will live on in the hearts of her mother Pauline; her brothers: John DeBow of Jeffries Corner, Clarence DeBow and his wife Freda of Jeffries Corner and Dan DeBow of Sussex; her sisters: Anne Anderson and her husband Bill of Waterford, Joan Foulger of Sussex Corner, Carol Stewart and her husband Brian of Sussex Corner; her many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and Linda Clarke and Wanda Steeves and Staff and friends at both, Opal House and Crosswinds. Miss Shirley Rosa DeBow, of Sussex, passed away on January 14, 2017 at the Saint John Regional Hospital at the age of 63. Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176) where visitation will be held Tuesday from 1-3 and 6-8 pm. A service celebrating Shirley’s life will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from Wallace Community Chapel at 11 am. If you are considering making a memorial donation, the family has recommended Opal McGregor House