Obituary of Shirley Ruth Bedford

Shirley Ruth Bedford (nee Heighton) of Pictou passed away with the same quiet beauty and grace that defined her character and her life, on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at the age of 88.  The first of two girls born to parents Hibbert and Dorothy Heighton, Shirley entered the world on November 13, 1929 in Lyons Brook where she grew up and attended school.  A lifelong resident of Pictou County, she proudly worked for the Royal Bank in Pictou for more than 37 years and served as the Treasurer of Pictou United Church for 23 years.  She married the unwavering love of her life, George Bedford, the only person to get away with calling her Shorty – more than once.  Sharing almost 70 years together, they lived inseparable by love, always bringing the brightest smile to the other’s face regardless of the circumstance.  Shirley is survived by her George; son, Lewis (Lisa); granddaughters, Addisyn and Isabelle; sister, Marion (Roy) McCallum of Dartmouth and their family, and those who shared her home and ensured her care at Glen Haven Manner in New Glasgow and most recently at the Maritime Oddfellows Home in Pictou.  She will be remembered by those who knew her best, as a kind, loving and feisty spirit who neither spoke nor wished ill-will to another.  She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother; a talented seamstress; a lover of the suspense and solitude of a good book; an accomplished and competitive hunter of beach glass along the shores of Waterside; and, will be admired for her finely tuned ability to predict an approaching clap of thunder.  Cremation will be overseen by McLaren’s Funeral Home in Pictou.  The family is grateful for condolences; however, declines flowers and donations.  In lieu of visitation, a private service will be held at a future date.