December 24, 2019
Shirley Jean Lloyd (nee Carson, born 1936) passed away Dec 24, 2019 mere weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Survived by daughter Dennie Segnitz (Peter), son Michael Lloyd (Louise), sister Reta Sutherland and nephew David Honan. This mighty-mouse Saskatchewan girl was a person of great compassion, no doubt shaped by the hurdles she stared down in her life. Knowing that life is complex, she counterbalanced by striving for the simple. She loved her family dearly, and they her. Shirley was highly regarded in the art community, having founded two successive art galleries. Both of them - the Lloyd Gallery in the Okanagan and White Rock Gallery on the west coast - remain vibrant and respected establishments more than 30 years later. Shirley officially retired years ago, but right until late 2019 she would regularly provide assistance to daughter Dennie, the current owner of White Rock Gallery. She had a sublime aesthetic and spatial sensibility which produced beautiful results, all with the seeming effortlessness that so bewilders us in gifted people. But it was in her interactions with clientele, staff and the community around her that her lovely presence shone through the brightest of all. Despite being an intensely private person, she invested a bubbling energy in those interactions that drew people to her, often creating durable ties of mutual fondness, love and respect. She was playful, with a keen wit, and a steely resolve. A beauty with sparkly eyes and easy smile, she was a truly special soul who will be missed tremendously. In recent years Shirley was especially grateful to Dr. Amin Javer for his surgical efforts to alleviate a difficult nose bleed concern. In lieu of flowers, donations to his St. Paul's Sinus Centre would be appreciated. A formal service is not planned.