Shelley's Obituary

Rev. Dr. Shelley (Sheila) Elsie Grace Finson

B.A., M.R.E., Dip. Ed., M.S.W., D. Min., Honorary Doctorate, Companion of the Centre for Christian Studies

March 2, 1936 – February 3, 2008

After a six month journey following the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, in the early morning hours of February 3, Shelley yielded her place in the universe. Born in Carlschalton, Surrey, England, Shelley was raised by her great Aunt Thirza. At age six, along with her brother Brian, she became a child evacuee and lived in South Wales for three years. From age thirteen to sixteen, she lived in Jamaica with her father and step-mother. At sixteen she returned to England to work as an office girl. At seventeen, she joined the Air Force and became a radar operator. Two years later she received compassionate discharge in order to keep house for her brother who had contracted tuberculosis. At twenty, Shelley moved to Canada. She studied in the areas of Religion, Social Work and Theology at the University of Toronto (MSW), and Boston College (DMin). In 2001, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from United Theological School, McGill University, Montreal. In 2008, she was awarded Companion of the Centre by the Centre of Christian Studies, Winnipeg. In her early years of ministry, she directed the “North Toronto Youth Project” ministering to alienated youth on the streets of Toronto. As her work unfolded, her ministry gradually began to focus on disenfranchised women. For several years, she functioned as Coordinator of the Canadian ecumenical “Movement for Christian Feminism; a movement funded by numerous churches. As faculty member for nine years at the Centre for Christian Studies in Toronto, she taught students preparing for diaconal ministry. In 1985, she joined the faculty of the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax preparing students for ordained ministry. She retired from A.S.T. in 2001. Shelley’s volunteer ministries included work with “Stepping Stone;” an outreach program for sex trade workers on the streets of Halifax, and “Women’s Employment Outreach.” She provided leadership for countless workshops related to the intersection of women’s lives and theology, as well as leadership for various Conference and National Church Committees. Her deep commitment to social justice affected the lives of those around her – colleagues, students and friends. She took delight in singing, playing guitar, running, learning french, and gardening. She is survived by her partner, Diane Carter Tingley; sisters, Janette Robinson (Gordon), Jamaica, Angela Madill (Ray), Penticton, B.C.; brothers Brian Finson (Barbara), England, Thomas Tavares-Finson (Rose), Jamaica, William Tavares-Finson (Sandy), Jamaica, Ian McGahey (Joanne), Vancouver; step-mother, Hyacinth Finson, Jamaica; several nieces and nephews. She will be missed by Diane’s children, Kevin and Susan Carbyn, and grandchildren, Ashley, Leah, Holly, Rachel and Lucas, whose presence enriched her life. She was predeceased by parents, George Finson and Maud McGahey (Davis), and brother, Tony McGahey. Led by a circle of women, a service to celebrate Shelley’s life will be held at Bedford United Church, Bedford, on Saturday, February 9 at 2 P.M. A private interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shelley’s memory to the Centre for Christian Studies, 60 Maryland St., MB, R3G 1K7, or a charity of choice.