In Memory: Shirley Cross LaForest

The community mourns the loss of Shirley Laforest, who many knew from her position as Essex Town Historian.

Obituary

On July 17, Husband Jim, daughters Charie, Colette, Siana, and Sons Jim Jr. and William gathered around mother and wife Shirley Cross LaForest to send her on her last trip with all the love we possessed, which was but a small portion of the amount of love she has given to each of us. There was peace for her departure, but for us . . .

The light has gone out of our life, the sun has set and will not rise again. Her private clock has ceased to run, her love is out of our lives, for she was our anchor, our listener, our solver of problems. Our happiness at seeing her each day is gone. Meeting Shirley was like winning the Jackpot. Who will stand by us, guiding us into standing up for what is right? Who will lead us as we walk along ethical paths of our lives? Who will take her place in giving meaning and purpose to our lives and help us to see each day as another moment for sharing joy and love. Who will take her place in our lives? Why, Shirley, of course. (Source: Sun Community News)

Thoughts from the Community

If you have any words you’d like to share about Shirley, please leave a comment or contact us and we can add it to this post.

The Town of Essex honors the life and legacy of our former Town Historian, Shirley Cross LaForest. May she rest in peace and may her memory live on in love and light for the town she loved so much. —Town of Essex

Shirley and Jim LaForest at the Grange Centennial celebration in 2015. (Source: Whallonsburg Grange Hall)

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One of the truly great women of the Whallonsburg Grange, Shirley LaForest, passed away on Saturday. We mourn this loss and celebrate her life and all she gave to this community and the Town of Essex. Shirley was a strong supporter of the effort to renovate the Grange, the place where she spent countless hours from her youngest years to recent times. The photo is from the Grange Centennial celebration in 2015. Our love and condolences to her husband, Jim, and to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. —Whallonsburg Grange Hall

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