Shirley Ruth (Ashcroft) Leeder, formerly of Wiarton, Ont. passed away on March 24, 2026 in hospice care at Chapman House in Owen Sound. She was in her 97th year.

Shirley is survived by sons Steve (Donna) and Bert (Susan). She was predeceased by her husband of nearly 70 years, Alma (Red) (2022) as well as daughter Maureen (1999). Much loved ‘Grandma’ to Jessica Leeder (Scott Belton), Melissa Shumway (Jeff), Christie MacLeod (Mike), and Laura Leeder (deceased), and ‘Old Grandma’ to great-grandchildren Alex and Finn Belton, Harper, Emery and Ryan Shumway and Wells and Jack MacLeod.

Shirley was a native of the Bruce Peninsula, having been raised in Limberlost on the farm cleared by her father, Royden Ashcroft. She knew from an early age that she wanted to be a teacher, influenced by her teacher in the one-roomed schoolhouse she attended at Limberlost. At the time she graduated from Wiarton District High School there was a shortage of teachers for rural schools and grade 13 graduates were encouraged to address this need by teaching for a year and then taking summer courses. After her first year in a one-room school with six students at Cape Chin on the Bruce Peninsula, she went to Toronto for her summer courses, eventually gaining her permanent teaching certificate. At the end of that first summer school she was introduced to her future husband, Alma. Shirley later invited him to be “Santa Claus” at her second school, SS #10 Edenhurst in Eastnor Township, and they later married in 1952. Shirley’s teaching career took her to several schools in the area, including Shallow Lake, Boat Lake, Cape Croker and Wiarton Pubic School.

Shirley was committed to community service. She was “Brown Owl”, a Brownie leader, for 25 years, former President of the Wiarton Train Station Committee, Blue Bell Women’s Institute, I.O.D.E., Retired Women Teachers’ Association, Bruce County Children’s Aid Society and Community Living. Other community organizations included Meals on Wheels and the Wiarton Hospital Board. She also served on Wiarton Town Council for two terms and chaired a committee that amalgamated neighbouring municipalities in a joint fire-fighting force.

Following the death of her daughter, Maureen, Shirley undertook more than 100 hours of training in palliative and pastoral care. In recognition of her service to the Bruce Peninsula Hospice, she received the June Callwood Circle of Outstanding Hospice Volunteers Award. She also was awarded the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Fellowship.

After Shirley was introduced by her husband to the Community of Christ, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, she became quite actively engaged in church activities. She served the church locally in Wiarton as a church school teacher, branch secretary, cook for youth camps, and the board of Canadian Saints Outreach. In 1986, she was the first woman to be ordained to the priesthood in the Ontario region, and served two terms as pastor of the Wiarton Congregation.

Family and friends may call at the George Funeral Home, Wiarton, on Thursday, May 7 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The funeral service will be conducted at the funeral home on Friday, May 8 at 1:00 p.m. with visitation 1 hour prior to the service. Interment Oxenden Cemetery.

Expressions of remembrance to Grey Bruce Hospice, Inc. Chapman House or the Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation would be appreciated. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family through www.georgefuneralhome.com

• First Name : Shirley
• Last Name : Leeder
• Funeral Home : George Funeral Home, Wiarton
• URL : https://www.georgefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Shirley-Leeder?obId=47876581

1. Report abuse

Contact details