Obituary of Shirley June Sefton

SHIRLEY JUNE SEFTON

(née HODGINS)

Shirley passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at the age of 90. She was predeceased by her husband Albert (2014). Shirley is survived by her children, John of Regina and Terry (Ruth Mitchell) of London, ON; grandchildren, Oberon Goodden (Hazel), Sky Goodden, April Polasek (Andrew), and Ben Sefton; and sister Elaine Collins. Born in 1927 to Henry and Ina Hodgins, Shirley grew up in Wadena. She attended the University of Saskatchewan, where she took a B.A. in English, and where she met Albert. They married in 1948. Al and Shirley settled permanently in Regina in 1951. In 1958, with both children in school, Shirley joined the Saskatchewan Provincial Library, where she trained as a cataloguer. She always credited her beloved career to the mentorship of Mary Donaldson, who founded the Provincial Library. Shirley returned to university to complete her Bachelor of Library Science at the University of Alberta. She served for many years as Head of Technical Services, was instrumental in establishing the network of branch libraries across the province, and led the transition to a computerized system catalogue. Her final year was as Acting Provincial Librarian. In retirement, Al and Shirley travelled often and wintered for many years in Mexico and in Tucson, Arizona. Shirley loved the Regina Symphony and attended their chamber series well into her eighties. She was also a Charter member of the Prairie Sages Book Discussion Class. She read voraciously and liked nothing better, after reading a good book, than to talk about it. As her children and grandchildren knew, no birthday or Christmas was complete without the gift of at least one book. Deepest thanks to Susanne Arndt, good neighbour, good GP, and most importantly, good friend to Shirley, for all your care this past year, and for years past. Visitation for family and friends will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. A private family interment will be held. In lieu of flowers, friends so wishing may make a donation in Shirley’s name to the charity of their choice or donate to your local library.

"Along the cool sequestered vale of life

They kept the noiseless tenor of their way" (Thomas Gray)