Shirley was born on Tuesday 10th June 1941 at 45 Foxley Road, Thornton Heath, in London to George and Doris Goodman. She had an older sister, Sylvia; an elder brother Derek, and younger brother Malcolm - all whom sadly have passed away.
When Doris was due to give birth, George was told to take Sylvia and Derek out for the day. When they got back, Doris had given birth to a baby girl. On discussing potential names for the new baby, Hilda (Doris’ sister) said ‘Where did you go?’ The reply came back - To Shirley Hills in Croydon. And then the question was posed ‘What month is it? June. Ok so let’s call her ‘Shirley June’. So that’s how she was named.
During Shirley’s childhood the family lived in Tottenham. She didn’t really like school but she did like attending Robin’s Mission Church and in 1956 she found Jesus as her personal Saviour and King. This was to mark the beginning of a lifelong relationship with God that shaped the whole of Shirley’s life.
When she left school her first job was at Gestetner’s factory making duplicate machines.
In 1965/66 she attended Moorlands Bible College in Christchurch, Dorset before going on to The Missionary School of Medicine at Great Ormond School in London. Here she gained a certificate in the elements of medicine and surgery’.
In 1967 the family moved to Exmouth, Devon as her Dad retired from Insurance and wanted to be closer to family.
From 1967-69 Shirley worked at Stoke Lyne Hospital for Mentally Disabled children. Here she was encouraged to do her State Enrolled Nurse training - which she duly completed, whilst training at Exeter RD& E hospital.
John started work at Ambrosia in Exeter in 1968 and was living in Exmouth. He became friendly with a young family who lived a few doors away, called Mike & Sylvia. They were attending a small church that met in the local estate school, a daughter church of Exmouth Baptist Church.
In 1969, one Sunday evening they went to Exmouth Baptist church, and Sylvia said to John ‘See that girl over there, that’s my sister’. He looked across a crowded room and saw the most beautiful girl - it was Shirley. Sylvia introduced them both and as they say ‘the rest is history’. John and Shirley developed a relationship and were married on 19 August 1972 at Exmouth Baptist Church.
After finishing her State Enrolled Nursing training, Shirley went back to Stoke Lyne Hospital until it closed down in 1972.
*Side Story - John told me that years later he received a letter from a man who went to Stoke Lyne as a boy. He had come to know Jesus as a result of Shirley’s witness and somehow found John on the internet and wanted him and Shirley to know.
From 1972-73 Shirley worked as a waitress at the Imperial Hotel in Exmouth.
In February 1974 John and Shirley had their first son John, and in August 1976 their second son Thurstan was born. I know Shirley loved you both deeply and was very proud of you.
From 1974 to 1988 Shirley worked at Chollacot Nursing home, doing the night shift.
They were living in a miner’s cottage in Trelawney Road, Tavistock and the lounge ceiling was covered in fibre boards. Other cottages on the road had exposed beams and John also wanted to take the ceiling down and also expose the beams. One night while Shirley was at work, with the help of the boys, he pulled down the ceiling. Over 100 years of whitewash, spiders and dust came tumbling down and covered the lounge. The following morning when Shirley came home and saw the sight she just took it in her stride. It was the beginning of living in a building site as John built an extension on the house. But Shirley jut accepted the dirt and inconvenience as she could see the end result.
In March 1988 John and Shirley decided to make a big move from the South to the North - to a little town called Horbury, where they took over a post office, corner shop and sandwich takeaway. Shirley was in charge of the kitchen and preparation of the sandwiches and they stayed there until selling up in 2002.
From 1994 to 2008 Shirley and John had the joy of seeing their 6 grandchildren born - Danniella, Ashley, Lucy, Nell, Bethany and Finn.
In 2003 Shirley retired from paid work and this gave her more time to devote to what she loved - her family.
In 2006 John and Shirley visited Vision Church.
I personally remember Shirley telling me that on the first Sunday they came God spoke to her and told her ‘You’re home now’. From that moment on John and Shirley were an integral part of our church.
I can personally say they have been two of the most committed, faithful, servant hearted and generous people that we’ve had in the church. Shirley was always so encouraging to other people, she would always have a big smile on her face and would come up and hug you the moment she saw you. They were also a key part of our Flourish Group that met weekly, often in their home. Everyone loved them both.

*Julie Story -
*John Stories -

Around 5 years ago Shirley started to get pain in her left leg. She gradually deteriorated until she needed an operation for a new kneecap. On coming out of hospital however she struggled and would fall on occasions. As time went on it became more and more difficult for her to walk.
In April last year (2023), John was preparing for the Flourish group at their house when he heard a bang. Shirley had fallen in the lounge and was on the floor when he went in. After the Doctor came to see her, she was sent to A & E at Pinderfields before then being admitted to Dewsbury hospital where she stayed until 2 June.
Shirley was then transferred to Chestnut Care Home, where she received residential care until being moved back home on 18 July, to be looked after by John, her family - as well as receiving daily care visits 4x a day during this time.
On the 6 December Shirley was moved to Ashby Lodge Residential home for respite care. After being examined by the doctor it was deemed necessary for her to be placed on end of life care.
On Monday 18 December John visited her, as he did each day, before leaving around 4pm in the afternoon to go home and have dinner.
Around 7pm he had received a phone call from the home notifying him that Shirley had sadly but peacefully passed away.
Today is a sad day – full of pain and suffering for us here on earth – but it’s also a day of hope and joy - in that Shirley knew Jesus Christ as her Saviour and Lord. She is now with him in heaven, happy, content and enjoying the presence and grace of God.

Family Tribute - Bethany
Reflection
The Committal & Blessing
Announcements
Exit Music - ‘Wide, Deep & High’ by Cliff Richard



Thank you for coming today and supporting our family through this difficult time. If you don't know me, I'm Beth, Shirley's granddaughter. Where do I even start? Nanny was a beautiful and incredible woman. If you ever needed anything you could always turn to her. She lit up any room she walked in. Me and her used to do the soldier salute. She's my soldier and she always will be. She liked going to my plays and achievements when I was younger; she always sat there cheering me on. Growing up that never changed. nanny was the most caring person I have ever met. She filled our hearts with joy and happiness. We have some many memories together. I would be sat here forever reading through them. One of my favourite memories is when we made cakes and your best one was lemon drizzle cake; everyone loved them. You will always be in my heart no matter what. I don't want to say goodbye to you. You're my best friend and you have been since day 1. It was heartbreaking to see you in that bed and not being able to do anything, but you're not in pain now, and you're free. I visited you in your care home on 15th. December and everyone was so shocked because I look like a double of you. When I look in the mirror, I don't just see me, I see you as well. You will be in our hearts forever. You made me the person I am today, and I'm so thankful and proud I can call you, my grandma. The world isn't going to be the same without you. I love you, Nanny.

On the other hand, I would like to say a massive thank you to grandpa. You have looked after her since she came into your life. You have made her feel so loved in all these years you have been together. You deserve the world and I'm so proud to call you, my grandpa. I love you too.



John had been working at Reckitt’s and Colman’s factory in Hull., but he was looking for something better. He wanted to live in the West Country, so borrowed the telephone directories of Exeter and Plymouth. He wrote 160+ letters for jobs and ended up with 4 appointments. Two he refused. One was a chemical company in North Devon. The interview started from the Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon at different locals. He refused the offer and accepted a job with Ambrosia Creamery R & D in Exeter. He bought a maisonette in Exmouth in Brixington to the north of Exmouth. He joined a small chapel. One day a neighbour, Mike Chering, invited him to go to his church in a local school. John tried it and it was a good church. Mike’s wife Sylvia invited me to tea. A friendship was built up between Mike and Sylvia and Lisa and Marion. He was told that the church was a daughter church of Exmouth Baptist Church, and every so many weeks the two churches met together. John took the family down to the evening service A group of young people came in and Sylvia said that girl was her sister. I saw a beautiful girl across the church. After the service John took the family and Shirley home. Shirl wrote to John and asked him to escort her to the end of year Nurses Party, which he did. Not till Christmas 1969 and after talking to his mum, he realised that he missed Shirley and later on she said that she’d missed John. He made an effort to court her and he proposed to her in 1971. They planned to get married which happened on August 19th 1972. Because Ambrosia was sold to Jimmy Goldsmith’s Cavenham Foods, most of the company was either sold off or transferred to Lifton. They moved into Tavistock in March 1973.



1 - In 1982 when Thurstan was 6 years old, Shirley became a Beaver Scouts Leader for a few years. She was very happy and thrilled to be a leader. She was always planning things for the beavers to do and enjoyed leading them on processions.

2 - While they were in Tavistock, Shirley put up with a lot of building work. John built a spare bedroom over the kitchen/bathroom. And then an extension to the side of the house. This was a playroom/entrance and a dining room/office/study. Upstairs a bedroom and a new bathroom/shower room over the dining room. The house was good and then in 1988 they left and took over Horbury Bridge post office.

3 - Every Monday evening, Shirley started taking their dog, Penny, for a walk. One Monday evening Shirley heard a voice saying are you the lady from the post Office. The voice, Freda, and Shirley have been very close friends ever since.

4 - One Monday evening, Shirley, Freda, Susan, (Freda’s daughter) and Penny were walking along the tow path of the canal. Kids on their bikes were riding backwards and forwards and passing them continually. Shirley said I’m fed up with this and Penny chased after the boys. They stopped and were frightened by a small dog. When Shirley and Freda got to them. Shirley told them off and told them to be sensible and be aware of the fright they could give others.