Shirley Elaine Burrell

Shirley Elaine Burrell, formerly of Deep Brook, Nova Scotia, passed away, surrounded by her loving family, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at Tideview Terrace, Digby N.S. She was born on May 30, 1930 in Middleton, N.S., the eldest daughter of Ruby (Zwicker) and Frank Adams.

Shirley graduated from Annapolis Royal Academy, and later taught school for several years, sometimes in a one room schoolhouse. Shirley was a youth leader with Pioneer Girls, Daily Vacation Bible School, and a Sunday school teacher.

Shirley excelled in all crafts, especially knitting, quilting and rug hooking. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles, Sudoku, reading, cooking, and sharing food with family, as well as gardening, walking in the woods, playing Scrabble, and stamp collecting. She was an avid bird watcher.

In her early years, she enjoyed camping trips and travelling throughout Canada and the USA. Some of her most memorable trips included the Gaspe Peninsula, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and New Brunswick.

She lived with the motto “If anything is worth doing - do it well.”

Shirley loved her grandchildren Amanda and Andrew, and her great grandchildren, Levi and Judah, all of whom brought her great joy.

She is predeceased by her sister Linda Louise (Adams) McGinley.

Shirley is survived by her son, Michael Burrell (Sandra-Marie Wiseman); sisters, Marilyn (Adams) Brown; and Virginia “Gini” (Adams) Proulx; many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Visitation will be held in Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street, (1-855-825-3448) from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at 2 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026. Reception will follow the service at the funeral home. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, New Albany. Donations in memory of Shirley may be made to CNIB, Pine Grove Cemetery, New Albany or a charity of choice. Online guestbook may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com