Obituary of Shirley Anne Taylor

TAYLOR, Shirley Anne – age 81 of Sipekne’katik NS, passed away peacefully and gracefully at home surrounded with love from her family on February 5th, 2023. Born January 6, 1942, in Saint John NB, she was the oldest child of the late Simon and Roseanne (Barlow) Nevin.

When Shirley was a young girl, she was proud to be the first person in Sipekne’katik to try her hand at making Pizza and Potato salad. In her youth, Shirley’s bravery led her to horseback riding and training horses. She loved to learn new skills, the one that always brought her joy and creativity was sewing. She was proud to show off her new creations and would convince her siblings’ model for her. Shirley attended high school at Sacred Heart Academy and proceeded to Mount St. Vincent Academy. Educating others became a passion for Shirley, and she made the bold decision to become a certified teacher by trade at the Nova Scotia Teachers College. She ventured Ottawa with her young family in tow, where she worked with the National Indian Brotherhood, Department of Indian Affairs, the Assembly of First Nations as a policy analyst for the respective organizations. She attended the University of Ottawa and worked at the Canadian Museum of History, where Shirley reveled in the love of history. She concluded her policy analyst career at the Amherst Indian Affairs office. She re-entered her policy career focusing on a clean water strategy program with her brother Anthony Nevin. She was revered in the community as a life long learner, storyteller, knowledge keeper, and historian.

Shirley is survived by her children; June Taylor, Michelle Patricia Thomas (Mark Benedict), Richard Simon Taylor (Macy Marr); grandchildren, Bryden Kiwenzie, Wausnodeh Kiwenzie, Cameron Taylor, Tasha Thomas, Trevor David, Austin Taylor, Brent Taylor, Carson Taylor, Cory Xavier Elijah Taylor; 13 great grandchildren; Eleanor Michael, Stephen Nevin (Shirley), Wallace Nevin, William Nevin (Connie), Anthony Nevin (Elizabeth), Jeannie (Bernie) Knockwood, David Nevin (Mary), Rosanne Michael (Curtis), Margaret Nevin, Shelia Nevin-Joseph (Gary Joseph), James Nevin; numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband, Hugh Taylor; son, William Taylor; brother, Frank Nevin; sister, Eleanor Brooks.

A visitation will take place at 2pm on Wednesday February 8^th, 2023, at 87 Sesame Street, Indian Brook, until time of Funeral Service at 11am on Saturday February 11^th, 2023, at St. Kateri’s Roman Catholic Church, Indian Brook. Cremation to follow.

Tributes, words of comfort and memories of Shirley may be shared with the family at www.ettingerfuneralhome.com