In Loving Memory ~
How do you sum up in a few brief sentences someone who meant so much to those who loved her? 10 years have passed since her death and not a day goes by that she is not profoundly missed. Born in Kentville, NS to parents Marjorie Adeline Wood (née Butler) and Ernst Wood, Stella had one brother named John. Stella was particularly close to her mother and had many wonderful stories to tell about her. Stella was ahead of her time and should have been a professional dancer and world explorer, but options were limited for women back then and she married at 18 (she remained married to Donald F. Shortt until his death in 1983).
She raised 3 sons and first entered the workforce as a direct result of the Women's Liberation Movement in the late "60's. As she described it, she saw the news about Women's Lib on the TV, turned to Don and told him she was getting a job and that "the poor man didn't know what hit him". She found work as a receptionist for the Catholic School Board and remained there until her retirement.
And then at the age of 65 she took on the gargantuan task of playing a central role in raising her granddaughter with grace and poise. It's because of the strength of Stella's love (aka Gram) that her granddaughter has turned out just fine.
Stella was kindness incarnate (though she hated being called a saint). She had a great sense of humour and introduced her granddaughter to all of the movie stars of old on TCM. And oh boy, did she love animals- particularly dogs and horses.
Stella is survived by her granddaughter Laura, her son Doug and daughter-in-law Jennifer.
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