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Billie Joan Shields
February 20, 1951 - February 12, 2016
Tribute
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
And the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
A garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
Billie Joan Shields, 64, of Nelson, BC passed away on February 12, 2016 surrounded by her son and daughter after a short very courageous battle with cancer.
Billie was a free and loving spirit. She touched the lives of many through quiet, random acts of kindness. Billie was drawn to love the unlovable and thrived when given the challenge to transform a derelict space or garden into something beautiful. As an avid gardener she has beautified the yards of the many rental homes she lived in over her 30 years in Nelson. Every winter she would anxiously wait for the spring to arrive and at the first glimmer of winter breaking she would start working in the garden and searching signs of life.
Billie has requested no funeral or memorial service. To honor her memory, we ask that you welcome and celebrate the arrival of spring, and remember her spirit as you marvel in the blooming of the crocuses, tulips, daffodils and lilacs.
When great souls die, the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile. We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly, see with a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened, examines, gnaws on kind words unsaid,
Promised walks never taken.
Great souls die and our reality, bound to them, takes leave of us.
Our souls, dependant upon their nurture, now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed and informed by their radiance, fall away.
We are not so much maddened as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of dark, cold caves.
And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly.
Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better.
For they existed.
Condolences
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From: Thompson Funeral Service Staff
Thompson Funeral Service Staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Leah Nelson
Relation: Aquaintance
Deepest condolences to Vanessa and Vinnie.
Ward, Leah and Justin Nelson
From: Heidi De Guglielmo
Relation: Related
I will always remember meeting Billie when I was only around 8 or so.
When I did see her, she always took the time to listen to my interests, particularly my pet bunnies.
She was always kind, loving and had a great ability to make people smile and laugh!
Deepest sympathy to Billie’s children, and family.
Service Schedule
Private service arrangements have been made.
Memorial Gifts
The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.
Thank You Notice
Send Flowers
Floral Tributes may be ordered directly through our supplier. Please have the name of the deceased, the funeral date, the address and phone number of the delivery location for handy reference:
BELLAFLORA STUDIO
621B Herridge Lane, Nelson, BC V1L 7B3
Phone: (250) 352-5592
http://www.bellaflorastudio.com
GEORAMA GROWERS
2870 Georama Rd, Nelson, BC V1L 6Y7
Phone: (250) 352-3468 / Toll Free: 1(800) 712-6797
https://www.georamagrowers.com/
POSIES
Flowers & Yoga Studio
513 A Front Street, Nelson, BC V1L 4B4
(250) 505-5222
https://www.posiesnelson.com/
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Send Condolence - For Billie Shields
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