Obituary of Shirley Elaine Oakley (nee Struke)

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Shirley Elaine (Struke) Oakley, who died after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer’s, at The Village of Winston Park , Haysville Neighbourhood, Long Term Care, on June 19, 2025 age 80 years.

Predeceased by her mother Elaine Hazel (Kropf) Struke, 2004, 82 years, and her father Clarence Struke, 1960, 39 years

Shirley leaves behind her devoted husband Jim Oakley who she married on July 29, 1967, 58 years, brother Jim Struke husband to Alicia Shukovitsky, their daughter Cassandra and son in law Steve Conrad and their son Timothy. Her sons, Trevor and his wife Lesley (Jarosz), their daughter Zoe and son Nathan, her son Christopher and his wife Tara (Tomajko), their sons Kinnon and Keith.

Shirley taught grade one at Harold Wagner Elementary in Waterloo until she married. She then became a teacher assistant at MacGregor Senior Public and Cedarbrae Elementary in Waterloo teaching various grade levels after her sons finished grade school, retiring from teaching in 2009.

Shirley was very active in the church and taught Sunday school and vacation Bible School at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church for many years, was the chair of the Worship Committee, and was Christian Education Coordinator there for a few years. Shirley organized many church functions and outings, such as trips to watch the Blue Jays and church picnics.

Shirley was always a very caring and upbeat person who would make friends easily with her bubbly personality. Shirley gave her time to various charities and not-for-profits. She served on the Waterloo Lakeshore Neighbourhood Association for a few years where she helped organize various events. Shirley was a Beaver leader with Scouts Canada and a volunteer door to door canvasser for the Canadian Cancer Society. Shirley was a curler at the Ayr Curling Club for a number of years with husband Jim and her son’s families. After she stopped curling she continued to come to the club to cheer on and support Jim until her illness prevented her from walking.  

Shirley’s love for her family was the center of her world, she was very excited and proud to be a grandmother to four wonderful grandchildren and she would boast about them and their achievements at every chance she could.

Shirley developed signs of early cognitive impairment in 2017, and this disease slowly progressed to mild dementia and Alzheimer’s by 2023. In July of 2024, Shirley was transferred from her home to, The Village of Winston Park, Long Term Care, to address her additional care needs. She adjusted well to the move and the extra care, and appreciated outings to family functions and visits from friends as the opportunities were presented. 

Many of you, who have known Shirley, will remember her as a very caring, upbeat, bubbly and organized person, who would easily make you feel comfortable, appreciated and understood as she engaged in conversation with you.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Village of Winston Park, Haysville Neighbourhood, for the excellent care provided to Shirley and for their caring support to Shirley and Jim throughout this difficult journey, with a special thank you to Mary and Susan.

Shirley’s family will receive relatives and friends at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo on Tuesday June 24, 2025 from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday June 25, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m. The funeral service will take place at Trillium Lutheran Church, 22 Willow St., Waterloo, on Thursday June 26, 2025 at 11 a.m. A reception will immediately follow the service in the fellowship hall, and an interment will be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Breslau following the reception.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to Alzheimer Society of Canada, would be appreciated by the family and may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com.