Every week, the Timmins Kinette Club is celebrating women in the community with its Modern-Day Rosie initiative. The campaign honours women who are innovators, volunteers, entrepreneurs and visionaries empowering other women. TimminsToday has partnered with the club to introduce our readers to inspiring local leaders. To submit a nomination, email [email protected].
Shirley Roy loves unconditionally!
We first met Shirley as a spunky volunteer for Empty Bowls, a grassroots fundraiser for food security programs. She zoomed around the place with her ‘can-do’ attitude, putting most of us to shame. Her energy and beaming smile were contagious, making tedious tasks pleasurable. She had a kind word for everyone and a twinkle in her eye, somehow making us feel we were all a part of something magical. Not one of us is surprised she was nominated as a Rosie!
Shirley spent her professional life as a registered nurse, graduating from the Brantford General Hospital School of nursing in 1966, a day she describes as “one of the proudest days of my life”. Her career saw her caring for patients in varied settings from emergency departments in Brantford, Tilsonburg, and North Bay, to the Cochrane-Temiskaming Resource Centre, outpatient clinics at St.Mary’s, and then in our very own ER in Timmins. She concluded her amazing career working with Dr. Malo and Dr. Woods who helped her achieve one of her ‘Bucket List’ goals of nursing for 50 full years — an astonishing accomplishment! They made a wonderful team for both patients and community; participating in “Shave the Locs for Docs” and raising over $20,000.
Shirley has been a mentor to many professionally and as a volunteer. We asked her about mentorship:
“My first mentor was my father Paul Cherwaty who was very community-oriented showing his children how important it was to treat everyone equally. My second mentor was Alan Richardson of the Timmins Police Service who was heavily involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run which is the top supporter of the Special Olympics movement.”
Our Rosie was so inspired by Al she purchased some T-shirts, then in turn, started selling them for the Torch Run; she became one of the top sellers, selling them still today. Shirley has been involved with the Special Olympic movement for over 25 years in varied roles including the medical manager for the 1999 Timmins Special Olympics Provincial Winter Games. During the 2004 National Games held in Quebec City, Ontario had a pilot project to have their own team nurse, and she was chosen. Shirley was also inducted into the Ontario Special Olympics Hall of Fame in 2005. She remained a part of the Special Olympics medical team for all provincial games up to 2016, four national games and as a spectator in PEI, Alaska, and the Ireland World games.
Shirley spreads the love of volunteering and community to other organizations as well. You can see her smiling face and helping hand at Heart and Stroke, Terry Fox Run, Project Love, Deserts for cancer, Run for the Cure, Relay for Life, TDH Gift shop, Victim Services volunteer with MADD, the local airplane club’s annual Fun Fly, and our beloved Empty Bowls.
She has been an active role model for healthy lifestyle and physical activity. “As a pastime, I played softball in the local mixed league then women’s softball league where I continued to play until COVID. In 2014, I won the uåmpire’s award for sportsmanship and dedication to the game. I also joined one of our local gyms, trained for body building/physique, where in 2016, I won first place at the regional games in Sudbury, then third place at the provincial games in 2017 in London, Ontario. Physical fitness is an important part of my life.”
The COVID pandemic has curtailed her ability to volunteer and play sports in person, but it has not dimmed her light or dampened her spirit. She continues to walk everyday with ‘the most important parts of her life’, Mookie & Izzie, the labradoodles she shares with her husband Ron. “I do believe animals play a very special role in one’s life. They are your best friends and only give you unconditional love with no expectations.”
Shirley, you have given all of us unconditional love for so many yeåars and expected nothing in return. We thank you are truly honoured to name you one of our Modern-Day Rosies!
