Goatcher (nee Bailey) - Shirley (Lee) Claire,
B.A Hons, U.E.L born August 17, 1923 passed away suddenly in Sidney, B.C on June 17, 2011. Lee was the eldest daughter of the late Ewart and Augusta Bailey of Winnipeg. Elder sister to the late Mary Morris of Pender Island, B.C and the late Kenneth Bailey of Winnipeg. In Shirley‘s early years she was very active in her local church community. She loved the world of dance and drama, and spent over 20 years ballet dancing, teaching ballet as Mistress of her own Ballet School as well as directing and choreographing numerous stage productions. She was always a willing volunteer in each community in which she resided. She was an active participant in the political community - volunteering for candidates, as well as working elections as a numerator, poll clerk and finally a D.R.O. Shirley, being the wife of an R.C.A.F officer of the late Flt. Lieut (RCAF 420 Squadron Bomber Command) Robert (Bob) Goatcher DFC,CD B.Comm, was very involved in the military lifestyle and her duties including the welcoming of visiting royalty. She was a member of both the 256 and 257 Legion branches and the 808 Thunderbird RCAF Wing Airforce Association of Canada. While in Winnipeg, she volunteered at numerous schools, the hospital auxiliary and was a Lionelle. The Goatcher family spent every summer from 1962-1988 at their Victoria Beach, Manitoba cottage. Shirley graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 1983 with her B.A Honors. Lee was a member of the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada. After relocating to Nanaimo,B.C in 1988, she kept busy in her community organizing Nanaimo into Neighborhood Watch Districts, volunteering as a receptionist for the RCMP Community office in Woodgrove mall for 5 years and serving on the Ident-a-kid team until 2002. Lee moved to Sidney, B.C following the death of her husband. It did not take her long to settle in, before she became involved in her new community, serving on her condominium strata committies, joining the Sidney Lawn Bowling Club, volunteering at the reception desk at the Peninsula Community Services and joining the Sidney chapter of the Red Hat Society. Lee was a witty, spontaneous, colorful, dependable, serious and caring person who loved to travel and was always interested in getting to know new people. She impacted everyone’s life whose path crossed hers, while here on earth. Lee was predeceased by both of her parents, her sister and brother, the man of her dreams, her husband of over 50 years, her daughter Shirley Carole in 1962 and her Great Granddaughter Kyra Leigh Strickland in 2007. She leaves behind to mourn her passing: her eldest daughter, Melody (Arne) Andersson of Victoria, B.C, her youngest daughter Lori (Steve) Strickland-Ross of Port Alberni, B.C, grandchildren Keri (Doug), Kristopher and Kory Strickland all of Port Alberni, B.C, Shane, Sheena and Cody Andersson of Victoria, B.C and great granddaughters Kyannah and Kyleigh Strickland of Port Alberni, B.C. As well as many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors in the U.S.A, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. Cremation has occurred and a tea in her honor was held to celebrate the life of this exceptionally colorful and humorous woman. She will be truly missed by all.