It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shirley Marie Harper, age 89, of MacLellans Brook, Nova Scotia. Born in New Glasgow on Sept 14, 1936, Shirley was the daughter of the late Karl (Charlie) and Catherine Feit.

As a child Shirley was an award-winning highland dancer and bagpiper, an interest that she maintained throughout her life. She began piping in parades and festivals with the Ceilidh Girls Pipe Band in 1949 and went on to play with the Fraser Holmes Memorial Ladies Pipe Band and later the Na Gaisgich Pipe Band. She participated in eighteen Halifax International Tattoos, as well as the opening and 50th anniversary of the Canso causeway of which she was particularly proud. Shirley received her teachers license in 1957 and worked as both a teacher and a school principal in her career throughout Nova Scotia.  She ultimately settled in MacLellans Brook in 1970 with her husband Ron and her two children Beth and Phil. Life in the close MacLellans Brook community revolved around haying season, maple syrup season, feeding the woodstove in the old farmhouse, and looking after the kids. Her house had a revolving door with friends and neighbors frequently visiting. Shirley was also a talented painter, a great cook, church treasurer, and she made great pancakes. She took particular pride in following the successes of her grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, brothers Frederic and Phillip, her husband Ronald, and daughter Beth. She is survived by her son Philip (Renee), grandsons Conrad, Christopher and Alexander, sister Emily (Sandy), and beloved nieces and nephews Lillie, Sheri, Ann Louise, Jamie, Trevor, Jason, Carmen, Lucia, Peter, and Debbie, as well as step-granddaughters Rochelle and Clara who she proudly inherited later in life.

The family will receive visitors on Saturday Nov 8th at the HW Angus Funeral Home in New Glasgow from 1-3pm, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 3pm with a reception following.