Shirley May Carlson

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Shirley May Carlson (née Allen) on May 9, 2026, at Evergreen Baptist Care Society at the age of 93, just shy of Ed and Shirley’s 73rd wedding anniversary.

Shirley was born on January 14, 1933, at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster to Gordon Allen and Louisa Rogers, both originally from England. Shirley was the second youngest of 10 children. She grew up in Cloverdale, where she resided for most of her life, ultimately building the loving and hardworking life she shared with her husband, Ed.

In 1952, Shirley met the love of her life, Ed Carlson, at her family’s home. The two quickly fell in love, becoming engaged on December 12, 1952, and marrying on June 20, 1953. Together they built a beautiful life and family over more than seven decades of marriage and devotion.

Shirley and Ed welcomed their first child, Sharen, on November 4, 1953, and went on to raise four children together. Shirley was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Sharen Burnip; devoted son-in-law, Graham Burnip; and eight of her siblings. She leaves behind her loving husband, Ed Carlson; daughter Shelley McGarrigle-Carlson (Dave McGarrigle); and sons Bruce Carlson and Kevin Carlson (Diane Bold).

She will also be deeply missed by her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchild: Gary Carlson, Jill Carlson, Jocelyn Carlson, Brent Carlson (Liz Jensen), Melissa Carlson (Tyler Cornish) and Waylon Cornish, and Bryce Burnip (Lianne Dolan). Shirley also leaves behind her sister Beverly Unrau, niece Diane Brown, and many extended family members and friends who loved her dearly.

Shirley worked throughout the years as a bookkeeper, at Eaton’s, sewing, and selling flower arrangements. She also shared a love of flowers with her daughter Sharen through their flower business, Silks and Greens. Though she worked in many roles, her greatest pride was always her family and home.

Together, Ed and Shirley built their first small family home in 1954. Over the years, they continued building homes and creating memories together. After spending four years in the Shuswap, they settled back in Surrey in 1978. In 1981, they built their beautiful forever home, where Ed still resides today. Shirley played an enormous role in creating that home, helping design the house, carrying lumber, sewing every curtain, and thoughtfully creating the stunning gardens she lovingly tended over the years.

Shirley was incredibly talented and resourceful. She grew much of the family’s own food and sewed many of her own clothes, creating a warm and self-sufficient home for her family. She had a special love for animals, especially the many family dogs, as well as gardening, reading, cooking, bowling, softball, sewing, camping, and travelling. She was an exceptionally talented seamstress and an avid bowler. Shirley and Ed shared many adventures together, travelling to England and Norway, camping in their fifth wheel throughout the years, and even going moose hunting together. Shirley also loved to travel independently and visited Alaska and Hawaii.

Shirley remained independent until the last few years of her life, when she began suffering from dementia. She passed peacefully in her sleep in the compassionate care of Evergreen Baptist Care Community. We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the nurses and staff at Evergreen. Their support for Ed and the family was immensely meaningful and appreciated.

A service will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Christ the Redeemer Anglican Parish (16628 Old McLellan Road, Surrey):

• 11:30 a.m. – Service followed by Reception and Refreshments in the Church Hall (16628 Old McLellan Road, Surrey)
• 2:00 p.m. – Burial at Surrey Centre Cemetery (16670 60 Ave, Surrey, BC)

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Diabetes Canada in Shirley’s memory.