Shirley was born on the 10th of May 1934, to Rod and Ivy MacDonald, at Nunsthorpe Maternity Home in Grimsby.
She began her education at Carr Lane infants and juniors in Grimsby. Shirley was a clever girl and passed the 11+. This meant that She could go to Wintringham Grammar School, where she received an excellent standard of education before leaving at the age of 16. Shirley then went on to Art School in Eleanor Street, and then Teacher Training college in Lincoln.
Shirley graduated from Lincoln with her qualification in Teaching and went to teach English, RE and Art at Armstrong Girl’s Junior School.
Shirley met her first husband Dennis at a dance in Cleethorpes, at the Winter Gardens. Their relationship deepened and they were married at Cleethorpes, Mill Road Methodist Church in 1957.
The family initially lived in Scunthorpe due to Dennis’s work as a civil engineer and bricklayer, and then later at the steelworks. They made the move to Grimsby in 1967 before Heather was born.
Sadly, Dennis was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1969 and died a year later in the November of 1970. Shirley was a strong lady and got on with the business of living. On a widow’s pension, with 4 children under the age of 11, she brought them up single handed. Shirley had her sister, Jean, who lived round the corner, as well as Roger and others, and with their support, she was able to live life as fully as possible.
Shirley returned to teaching as a supply teacher in the early 1970’s. As well as other schools, Shirley worked at Springfield school.
Shirley met Eric at a dance at Louth Town and Country Club. Eric could dance, but only really got into it because of Shirley. Eric and Shirley went on to get married at Mill Road Methodist Church, on the 18th of February in 1984.
Stephen Graham Parrott:
01/02/2021
