We Remember...
Shirley Parkinson was a registered nurse (RN) and lactation consultant (IBCLC) and a long-time member of the Saskatchewan Lactation Consultant Association (SLCA) and the Breastfeeding Committee of Saskatchewan (BCS) where she was in different executive positions over the years. She brought much to these roles and through them to the families of Saskatchewan. We honor her memory here.
Shirley was born on March 31, 1958 in Macklin, Saskatchewan. She attended the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon where she earned both science and nursing degrees. She worked in a variety of areas such as Meadow Lake, Key Lake mine as an occupational nurse and in Unity as a Public Health Nurse.
Shirley loved working with young mothers and completed her Lactation Consultant certification. She enjoyed promoting health in her community and helped found the Unity Community Resource Center. Shirley also loved gardening and maintained a large flower and vegetable garden. She was an active member of her church and was a Sparks, Brownies and Girl Guide leader for many years, as she loved working with children.
“Shirley may have excelled with breastfeeding but I remember all the community development she did. I was on the breastfeeding committee with her from day one and she always had a literature review done and information to back up what she shared with us. She was very passionate about everything she did. She always had a smile and a contagious laugh.” Mary Pat Fisher, PHN
“To think of the passion that Shirley poured into being a LC is not surprising. She really was a great nurse, and she cared about her moms and babes. It was like she was invested in their success and she just wanted to teach and support them. I would have to say that Shirley believed in giving a child the best start possible – the bonding with the parents and building from there.” Debbie Milton RN., BScN. CCHN- Public Health Clinical Supervisor/CD Programming.
“Her laugh was infectious; you could hear it throughout the building. She was involved in the OH+S committee in our building for years. And she was also the SUN local #284 President, as well as the SUN District Chair. She was involved and passionate with everything she did. She loved gardening, and raised 2 beautiful strong women.” Nola Sperle, RN, BSN
The SLCA and the BCS offer a scholarship annually in Shirley’s memory to aid lactation consultants and inspiring lactation consultants on their journey.
Shirley was born on March 31, 1958 in Macklin, Saskatchewan. She attended the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon where she earned both science and nursing degrees. She worked in a variety of areas such as Meadow Lake, Key Lake mine as an occupational nurse and in Unity as a Public Health Nurse.
Shirley loved working with young mothers and completed her Lactation Consultant certification. She enjoyed promoting health in her community and helped found the Unity Community Resource Center. Shirley also loved gardening and maintained a large flower and vegetable garden. She was an active member of her church and was a Sparks, Brownies and Girl Guide leader for many years, as she loved working with children.
“Shirley may have excelled with breastfeeding but I remember all the community development she did. I was on the breastfeeding committee with her from day one and she always had a literature review done and information to back up what she shared with us. She was very passionate about everything she did. She always had a smile and a contagious laugh.” Mary Pat Fisher, PHN
“To think of the passion that Shirley poured into being a LC is not surprising. She really was a great nurse, and she cared about her moms and babes. It was like she was invested in their success and she just wanted to teach and support them. I would have to say that Shirley believed in giving a child the best start possible – the bonding with the parents and building from there.” Debbie Milton RN., BScN. CCHN- Public Health Clinical Supervisor/CD Programming.
“Her laugh was infectious; you could hear it throughout the building. She was involved in the OH+S committee in our building for years. And she was also the SUN local #284 President, as well as the SUN District Chair. She was involved and passionate with everything she did. She loved gardening, and raised 2 beautiful strong women.” Nola Sperle, RN, BSN
The SLCA and the BCS offer a scholarship annually in Shirley’s memory to aid lactation consultants and inspiring lactation consultants on their journey.
