Post World War 2 her grandfather, Arthur Shaw, despite having many sons, invited her father Bern to take over the running and purchase of the Shaw family property of “Primrose” at Weddin – a sign that he held Bern in high regard.

This proved to be good fortune for Shirley and an even greater stroke of luck for her future husband Maurice Schneider of “Closeburn” whose family had been neighbours of the Shaw’s from the early 1870’s.

It seems that Maurie very quickly “jumped the fence” and there was a well worn back track through what was known as the “common gate” between the properties.

In early 1954, Shirley (affectionately known thereafter as Liz) at the tender age of 20 years married Maurice at the St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Grenfell and her death last Friday ends a union of over 54 years.

In the years that followed their marriage, six sons were born being Graeme, Warwick, Maurice (deceased), Stuart, Douglas (deceased) and Ian (deceased) before finally, after many years of trying, a daughter Caroline was born.

You may be justified if you think this was a large family to keep track of as evidenced by the occasion when one child marched into the kitchen and announced, ‘Well, I’m back now.’ (this after a, not uncommon, two hour absence) Shirley asked,

‘What do you mean?’ and she who won’t be named said, ‘I’ve decided not to run away after all.’

To which Shirley replied, ‘Oh, I didn’t even know you’d gone.’

In later years, even though most of her children had some time living away, they all returned to again live close by and as the old saying goes “the apples didn’t fall far from the tree”.

In present times, Stuart is at “Closeburn” the original family farming selection, Warwick is at “Ben Eden”, Graeme is at “Summer Hill” while Caroline lives in Grenfell.

During these early years Shirley’s brother Jim married Glenice Hammond and a strong bond developed between Shirley and Glenice and together they were heavily involved in many common activities including church, school (P&C & tuckshop) and swimming club (a new pool and clubhouse came along in this era).

Much later, Jim and his father Bernie share farmed at “Closeburn” for some time.

Shirley over the years didn’t lead a cosseted life but instead was a strong working partner to Maurice on the farm and loved nothing better than being involved in all the physical operations.

Further, she fully supported his sporting activity of cricket (even up to recent years hosting the touring Bowral junior cricket team managers) and participated in some of Maurie’s early fox hunting, rabbiting and fishing expeditions but more particularly enjoyed family picnics and bush rambles most often on her parents’ property “Primrose”.

This support naturally applied alike to all of her children’s multi interests and pursuits. She was also regarded as a good cook by her family, shearers and visitors alike; most particularly for her desserts and sponge cakes (as a result you’ll notice no skinny family members) and an open door policy meant there was always a cup of tea, a feed, a meal or overnight hospitality available to all callers or “drop ins” of which there were many.

As well, she regularly fed and tended to Closeburn’s resident sharefarmer Alex Simpson for well over 40 years who in turn mutually repaid the effort with many handyman chores.

After moving to town in later years, (Shirl & Maurie never retired),

Shirl was constantly back to the farm she loved helping out in any way possible.

There were many highs and some lows in her life and one of the most significant lows occurred around the time Caroline was born when it was discovered that both Douglas and Ian were afflicted with the disabling condition of muscular dystrophy.

Back in those days not so much was known about the condition and support for the handicapped was extremely limited so this was an extremely worrying time for her.

As time passed, they were both increasingly physically challenged losing the ability to walk and, being wheelchair bound consequently needed a lot of her own great physical and emotional strength plus much medical consultation to cope and she was constantly concerned for their future needs.

Conversely, this load she carried also led to triumph as both Doug and Ian achieved much within their short lives.

They constantly created new trends with their involvement in the community and led as full a life as possible.

Who can forget amongst those who witnessed it, their fiercely determined and heart stirring efforts to compete in swimming club races well into the progression of their physical decline.

Doug, who despite leaving primary school early, was fiercely independent and bright intellectually, particularly in maths (for example being able to mentally calculate extremely large arithmetical equations), and he was family champion in almost any game of chance or skill contested.

While still at school and before he lost the ability to walk he won a dancing competition with his future sister-in-law, Dot, at Borambola Recreation Camp.

After many years at home and in his late teens he attended rehab at Bathurst where he was encouraged to complete his Higher School Certificate at Kelso - (you must remember here that he’d had no schooling since primary).

He comfortably attained this before attending Mitchell College (now CSU) and successfully completed a Bachelor of Business (in Computing and Management Information Systems).

Tragically he died the week before his result was announced.

In his honour a foundation scholarship was created to assist other physically challenged students and is awarded annually in his name.

Ian, similarly, broke new ground and he attended school until 4th form (the present year 10).

This only occurred after some initial resistance and much consultation with the then HLHS principal Bert Newton because, when the new high school was built in 1973, no consideration at all was given for handicapped access and there are many steep flights of stairs even at supposed ground level.

He was the first wheelchair student to attend the school and he had a broad range of friends to wheel him about between classes which, interestingly enough, was of mutual benefit to all concerned.

He stayed at home after leaving school and was computer bookkeeping for the family farm while, as he loved sport, his mates regularly collected him to attend footy and cricket matches and other social activities.

He was second only to Doug in family games of chance and skill.

One of his final accomplishments was to win the local open singles indoor bowls title before his sudden untimely death.

Shirley was extremely proud of their achievements and as you will see today her wish was to be laid to rest and reunited with her two beloved boys.

For much of his life Maurie had many community roles in many many organisations with a long term on the Shire Council (following in Shirl’s father Bern’s footsteps) including a long stint as Mayor and to these ends Shirl was always in constant support and backup.

Shirl’s generosity of spirit too, was in evidence with long spells of hosting Maurice’s aged aunt Ida in her dotage as well as his uncle Jack Rolls which in so many ways was an extremely enjoyable experience.

Over the years she kept up good & regular correspondence with a great number of friends, school friends and relations with many of these same people attending today from places far distant.

Shirley too, was known as a good conversationalist and could well keep a conversation going single-handedly.

She also strongly supported the wool industry with a lot of knitting over the years and many a lovingly created item is still treasured in the family today.

On one infamous occasion many years ago, she even made costumes for a school fancy dress party at the old Oddfellows Hall with two of her eldest boys (they will remain nameless) being greatly embarrassed with realistic and prize winning renditions of Noddy (not such a good idea) and Goldilocks (an even worse idea) which evidently deeply traumatised their psyche consequently scarring them for life.

Honestly, more likely of course, the Goldilocks idea was a subliminal hint to Maurie that she wanted a daughter which, as we know, was duly achieved after many attempts.

In recent years Shirley would occasionally organise a family and friends quiz team which was extremely competitive and achieved a few wins against strong competition while even now Caroline regularly continues contributing with the Grenfell Record quiz.

This was regularly first run past Shirl and the two of them spent many happy hours of puzzling, cross wording and game playing.

Although there is much much more to Shirley’s life, importantly a big part of it, it must be said, was that her church and deep Christian faith provided a solid rock upon which she based a lifelong strong conviction and passion.

Her parents themselves were staunch members of the Presbyterian Church with her father a church elder and her mother a long term organist.

She succeeded her mother as organist for some years in the local Pressy church before in midlife following Maurice across to the Holy Trinity Anglican Church during Father Brian Hatherly’s term.

This was to give her renewed hope for her two “special” boys and she remained here in partnership with Maurice in many roles for the rest of her days.

They both had a very deep involvement in the church with Shirley again being organist and strongly participating in a host of related activities including the Christian Bookshop and AWA (being president for some time).

Likewise, Meals on Wheels, the Henry Lawson Festival (term as president), Indoor Bowls and ITC (i.e. toastmistress’s) amongst many others were similarly added to her many pleasures and community services.

Finally it must be said, and as you would expect, she deeply loved her family with her daughters-in-law Ros, Dot and Jenny and her grandchildren Lachlan and Laura, James and Joseph, Danielle and Kristina being well favoured and they in turn reciprocated her love.

Proud too she would be of Joseph her grandson playing an essential role in the funeral ceremony today. Even her grandpuppy Ruby (as she fondly knew her) will miss her presence.

All her life she constantly put others ahead of herself and right to the end despite her equal suffering from grave illness she continually put Maurie’s needs with his severe illness ahead of her own and stoically made light of her pain and be it known that she even apologised in advance at the very last hour for not being able to attend the Church antique fair on Saturday just passed.

Fortuitously, too, she was able to have a final visit to Maurice in hospital on her last night with us where it was even remarked how well she looked.

As you can see Shirley lived a good long life deeply enmeshed and active in the Grenfell community and from her forebears to her offspring (spanning a period of over 140 years of local history); the unstinting service she gave her family and community is deeply treasured and missed by all.

Mercifully, God has finally rewarded her strong faith and given her relief from all the burdens she shared for us all and although we grieve today we are very truly glad for the pleasure of her kind nature, constant smile, good humour and all the happiness she brought to our lives and she would only wish that we make this a joyous and uplifting occasion to celebrate her own long and fulfilling life.

For her wonderful big hearted and generous presence in our lives: Lord we are truly thankful that she now will rest in peace alongside her sons.

She is survived by her husband Maurice and children Graeme, Warwick, Stuart and Caroline while her brother Jim has predeceased her.