Shirley May Liira (nee Schwindt)

Shirley May Liira (nee Schwindt), age 79, of White Rock, BC, went to be with the Lord on April 6, 2020.  She was born to Rev. Ross and Bertha Schwindt in Kincardine, Ontario. 

Shirley leaves behind the love of her life, best friend, and partner in over 50 years of ministry, Rev. Bert Liira, to whom she was married for fifty-six years.  She is greatly missed by her three children, Lorine Moore (Steven), Mary-Louise Marcus (Glenn) and Norman Liira.  She was the proud grandmother of Matthew Moore (Kasi), Nicholas Moore (Dominique), Wesley Moore, Emilee Miller (Xander), Melissa Marcus and Michelle Marcus, and the great-grandmother of Caleb, Aaron, and Jakob.  She is survived by her four brothers – Wilbert, Bruce, Peter and Keith – and by her two sisters – Ruth and Marilyn. 

As a pastor’s child, Shirley grew up in various cities and towns within Western Ontario. An accomplished pianist, she began providing piano accompaniment for youth meetings, church services, and special events at a very early age (and never stopped!). She graduated from Teacher’s College in Hamilton (ON) and taught grades 6, 7 and 8 in St. Catharines, Sault Ste. Marie and Dundas (ON). 

Bert was a student at Eastern Pentecostal Bible College when he and Shirley met.  They were married in Sault Ste. Marie in 1963 and moved to Dundas in 1964 to begin their years of pastoral ministry together.  Over their lifetime of ministry, they pastored churches in the Eastern & Western Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia districts of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC).  After retiring from full-time ministry, they continued to do interim pastoral work in various locations.

Shirley and Bert felt the call of God upon their lives, and worked steadfastly as a team throughout all of their years of pastoral ministry.  Shirley became a credential holder with the PAOC in 1984, receiving her Certificate of Recognition for her years of ministry experience.  She was on staff as the Minister of Music in the churches that they pastored in Orleans (ON), Sarnia (ON), and Richmond (BC).  

Shirley loved the Lord with all her heart, and dedicated her life to helping others.  She made an impact on countless children, youth and adults while leading children’s programs, choirs for all ages, and orchestras for youth and adults. She always found time to chat with newcomers, laugh with friends, and give encouragement to those who were discouraged, making each person feel special, needed and loved. She created a loving, stable home-life for her children, even home-schooling the Liira’s adopted son, Norman, for several years. She was a warm and devoted mother and a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, taking great delight in the activities and accomplishments of her children and grandchildren.  Her love for her husband burned as brightly at the end of her life as it did when they were first married.

 Shirley loved to read numerous newspapers, arrange music, work in her garden, refinish old furniture and make fudge for the people she loved. She was still playing the piano for occasional services and events until she became ill.  Shirley took to heart the words, “Only one life, will soon be past -- only what’s done for Christ will last”.  She spent her life helping others… it was a life well lived.  

 Our family would like to thank everyone who prayed for Shirley and Bert when they were both in the hospital, struggling with Covid-19.  We would also like to thank the wonderful medical staff at the Abbotsford Hospital (BC) who took care of Shirley during her last days there.

 Given the Covid-19 restrictions, cremation took place in April 2020. A live Zoom memorial service will take place for the family of Shirley Liira on August 15, 2020.  This memorial service will be recorded, and a link to the recording will be posted on Shirley Liira’s Facebook page for friends to watch at a later date if they wish to do so. 

 If you so desire, donations to ERDO – Emergency Relief & Development Overseas (PAOC) – https://www.erdo.ca -- would be appreciated by the family. 

 You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.