Shirley Eikhard 1955 - 2022

On Thursday, December 15, 2022, Shirley Rose Eikhard died peacefully at Headwaters Health Care Centre in Orangeville due to complications from cancer. She had recently celebrated her 67th birthday. Predeceased by Lola Catherine Osborne, who was a gentle loving soul, and the love of Shirley's life. Shirley was much adored, and several of her close friends were fortunate to have had the opportunity to be with her over the past few days.

Shirley was born in Sackville, New Brunswick, and moved to Ontario when she was 8. On a professional level, Shirley was extraordinarily talented. She earned Juno awards in 1973 and 1974 for best country female artist, and has had numerous country and pop hits, including "You're My Weakness", "It Takes Time", and "Smilin' Wine". Her songs have been recorded by Cher, Anne Murray, Chet Atkins, Ginette Reno, Alannah Myles and Rita Coolidge. She is perhaps most famous for writing "Something to Talk About" which was recorded by Bonnie Raitt and became huge hit. In 2020, Shirley was inducted into the Canadian Songwriter's hall of fame for this song. She entertained the Canadian Armed Forces in the Artic and overseas. She has composed two scores for Toronto playwright George F. Walker, one of which won a Dora Mavor Moore award for sound design. Shirley has written over 500 songs and produced and developed several albums. She is the consummate musician and throughout the years had taught herself to play guitar, piano, bass, drums, percussion, chromatic harmonica, sax, banjo and mandolin with professional expertise.

Regardless of her many accomplishments, Shirley was a very modest woman; and although she was so talented, the reasons those around her loved her so deeply - the reason we are heartbroken today - were not connected to her gifts. They were connected to her character: as with all wise people, she was kind; as with all wise people, she was generous; as with all wise people, her own tribulations were not her first concern. She exhibited steadfast optimism, no matter what life threw at her and her optimism was contagious.

Besides being a singer, songwriter, and musician extraordinaire Shirley also had a passion for painting, was an animal lover (friend of the feral) and was deeply grateful for her "earth angels"; she was an environmental activist, and loving friend. She was incredibly well-read on many subjects, and had a wicked sense of humour. Our Shirley was a lovably eccentric pioneer woman; anyone who met her felt the gravitational pull of her indomitable spirit and she was treasured by so many. Shirley loved Christmas trees (6 every Christmas) her Starbucks, driving her truck to the dump, feeding all the wildlife around her home in the country, kayaking, and walking, ...walking the roads of Mono collecting cans and bottles to donate cash to animal welfare... "oh, that's Shirl". Some of us will see that silhouette of shirl walking down the highway forever. Shirley did everything on her own terms, ...including living with her illness. Despite the many hills and valleys she confronted, Shirley was everlastingly grateful for her life. On beautiful days, she would raise her face to the sky and say "thank you." She did this to the last days of her life.

We would to thank Shirley's palliative doctor, Dr. Canduso, and the wonderful, caring staff at Headwaters, who made her last days so comfortable and safe. We would also like to thank her other health care professionals; Dr. Raskin and staff, William Osler, and Dr. Conrad and staff at Southlake who helped guide Shirley through treatment and supported her throughout her journey of living with cancer.

In lieu of flowers, Shirley would have wanted any remembrance of her be made in the form of a donation to the Cancer Centre at Headwaters Health Care Centre, or to one of several animal care foundations or shelters.

Dearest Shirley, we just hadn't finished knowing you. You are such a loss to the world of music, but even a more profound loss to those of us who knew and loved you; but like celestial stars, your beautiful light will shine on...