Shirley Parks

PARKS, Shirley Tucker Q.C. Died peacefully in the presence of family at the General Campus of The Ottawa Hospital on Monday May 24th after a brief illness. Shirley was born March 11th, 1930 in Rosthern, Saskatchewan to Walter Adam Tucker and Hertha Tucker (nee Friesen). She attended school in Rosthern and then in Ottawa at Glebe Collegiate Institute during her father's term as Liberal MP. She studied Law in Saskatoon at the University of Saskatchewan. She was admitted to the Bar in 1955 and began a long and illustrious legal career, working at CMHC, the Department of Justice, Indian and Northern Affairs and Health Canada. Shirley was a passionate advocate for Justice and Equality and worked and volunteered tirelessly to further the legal rights of woman. In 1959 she married Gordon Craigie Parks, a fellow lawyer. After retirement she spent many happy years in her winter home in Clearwater Beach, Florida, where she developed long and lasting friendships. Shirley and Gordie also got tremendous pleasure from their travels to unique parts of the world. Shirley is survived by her sons Ian Douglas (Liana) and Richard Gordon (Michelle); by her siblings Marion (Bill Carpenter), David, Ed (Louise), Hertha and Wilfrid (Easlyn), and their families; and by her grandchildren, Caitlin, Dylan, Alexandra and Nicholas. A memorial visitation will be held on June 7th at Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue Ottawa from 11 a.m. until time of Funeral Service at 1 p.m in the Sacred Space. 613-741-9530 www.beechwooodcemetery.com . In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Ottawa Heart Institute: www.ottawaheart.ca