Obituary of Maurie Shorten

Predeceased by her parents Robert and Annie Shorten, brother Bobbie Shorten and her spouse of 25 years William T. Harding (2010 08 17) (all of Oshawa). She is survived by her sister Josephine Tippett (Calgary) and her daughters Maurie Sheppard (Doug)(Waterloo) and Janet Harding and husband (Courtice). Also survived by Grandchildren Corlyn, Sarah, Adrianna, Duncan and Faith as well as step-grandchildren Emily and Scott. Maurie was born in Oshawa as the middle child to a farming family. Bobby had Down Syndrome and was taken care of by Maurie for 30 years until he finally passed away in his 70th year. Maurie spent her life fighting for those who were not treated fairly. She obtained her pilots licence in the 50's as a young woman. In her 38 years of working at General Motors she fought for Women's Rights, both against the union and the province of Ontario in the 60's, obtaining the right for women to bump men with less seniority, to wear pedal pusher pants in the plant and the de-designation of pregnant women as handicapped. She trained the first black female employee in General Motors in Canada. She gave birth to her own 2 very strong and independent young girls. In the 70's, after seeing her friends and acquaintances suffer with near death experiences, she independently ran an abortion referral service to a clinic in the United States that provided safe procedures for those in need, even driving those who could not get their own ride. Throughout her life she was heavily involved in politics with the New Democratic Party at the provincial and federal levels, as campaign organizer, CFO or anything else she could run. Maurie was also involved with the Association for the Mentally Retarded, now known as the Canadian Association for Community Living and she was active in many card and lawn bowling clubs. She volunteered right up until a short time before her passing at soup kitchens and most recently the kitchen at the Rockway Seniors Centre. She coached or cheered for both of her daughters teams in winter and summer from 1970 to just days before her death. This carried on into the lives of her 5 grandchildren. She was a member of the Westvale Optimist Club and on the club executive for the last 9 years. Throughout her life Maurie was the epitome of fairness, optimism and action. Maurie has donated her body to science to continue her volunteer work after death and help in the education of others. She just can't stop giving! There will be no funeral. However, there will be a celebration of her life in Waterloo at a later date. Special thanks go out to all our family and friends, including the Optimists from the Optimist Club of Westvale Waterloo for their support during the last several months. Sincere gratitude is extended to PSW Extrordinaires Monika and Elana; Lisa, Emma and Lana; the awesome nurses who made it possible to keep Mom home: Mary, Wendy and Diane; the best Doctors ever who kept her comfortable: Dr. Jakda, Dr. Ward and Dr. Tan; the staff and volunteers of the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre; the nurses on the 4th and 5th floor of Grand River Hospital; and the Intensive Care staff and biopsy nurses at St. Mary's Hospital; and whoever else in this time of grief we have forgotten to mention. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to either the Canadian Association for Community Living, Anselma House or your local Optimist Club.