Shirley CLARKE Obituary

I was so surprised to hear your news last Sunday Murray. Your mum was a lady who had a winning smile and a warm, loving heart. Even though we bumped into each other infrequently, her welcome was always the same, she made me feel cared for and she was so very perceptive, knowing things that were never said aloud.
I am so sorry for your loss, you and the world have lost a treasure.
Sending much love, Amanda Druery

Lost for words mate We used to meet up with Shirl ... mainly in a supermarket ... lol ... I looked forward to our chats ... so sad and so suddenly ... we have lost a friend. Lots of love & hugs to you and your family Your old friend Roger

To Graeme, Murray, Sarah, Mya and James, thank you so much for allowing us to share in Shirley's farewell on Friday. There are no words to be said that can take away the pain that you are all feeling now and our thoughts will be with you in the months ahead. We knew Shirley through Simon and the Rotorua Classic Motorcycle Club and our friendship has endured for over 30 years. By a strange coincidence, Shirley boarded with Max's sister Jean and her husband Hugh in Malfroy Road when she moved to Rotorua from Gisborne so he knew her a little bit longer then me (Glenda). We have travelled from one end of the country to the other with Shirley, we have camped, stayed in Hotels, Motels and quite frankly some places that were more than a little bit dodgy. We have attended rallies, runs, parties, racing and funerals together and the consistent thread that has been a part of our relationship with Shirley has been the love and laughter that we all shared. She made friends with so many people across the country that we met on our travels. I was going through the photo albums today and they evoked so many happy memories of the trips we have made over the years. Shirley was forthright and direct and more than willing to share her opinions regardless of the consequences however the other side of that coin was the caring, compassion and nurturing she showed to the people she loved and their families. She was a frequent visitor to my mother at Cantabria who was stricken with dementia- my mum had no idea who she was but never failed to comment that her visitor was a 'lovely lady". Shirley was so proud of her family and we all heard stories from go to whoa about everything that was going on in their lives - from school, basketball, USA, house renovations in Dunedin, moving back to the North Island, schools again, grandchildren, orchards and all the minutiae that make up the milestones and achievements of someones life. We will miss her and there will be a space in all our lives that used to be filled by Shirley. We will continue to speak about her, and tell our stories and more importantly we will continue to laugh because that is what Shirley would want us to do.
Max Glenda and RCMCC

Our special thoughts are with you Graeme and your family, so sad she was much too young. Ron and Hazel in Cairns

Fondly rembering special memories from my links with the McWhirter family. Shirley was such a "bright star" and fun to be around.
Sending you all my Sincere Sympathy at her passing.
Lesley Stoneman Invercargill.

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.