Obituary of Shirley Knox

(nee Burchat; formerly Thomas)

Shirley Knox of Renfrew died unexpectedly at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Beloved wife of Ken Knox.  Loved mother of Barry Thomas, Robert Knox, David (Susan) Knox and Erin (Mike) Knox-Nielsen. 

Predeceased by a daughter Cheryl Ann Thomas in 2009 and a son Danny Thomas in 2020.

Cherished grandmother of Jessie Thomas, Holly Thomas (Chiao), Adam Thomas (Rachel), Vanessa Thomas (Sarah), Kaylea, Tanner, Garrett & Hunter Knox. 

Great grandmother of Dahlia Knox and Toby Thomas.   

She was predeceased by other members of her Burchat family: her parents August and Antonina (nee Glofcheskie) Burchat; her siblings, Martha, Arthur (Shirley), Ellard (Alice) and Dolores (Doug).

Shirley was born in Barry’s Bay Ontario on August 24, 1941.  She grew up in Barry’s Bay but it didn’t hold her for long and by the age of 14, Shirley was out on her own living in Kitchener, Toronto and finally Ottawa.  

Her working career included a short period as a nanny and then onto “The Bell” (as she called it) first as an operator working the switch board and then onto other departments within Bell.  

She loved working at “The Bell” and had many stories to tell of that time. 

It is at Bell that she met Ken and they spent 47 years together raising their family, being snowbirds migrating to Texas every year for about 15 years,

travelling to international destinations, and finally settling in Renfrew, Ontario for a life off the road.

Shirley was a brilliant seamstress, storyteller, and good cook (in the words of her biased niece).  

For a time, she used her sewing skill to supplement her income but in general sewed for the love of creating something – anything - that could then be worn or used.   

She also loved fiddle music, country music (in particular music from the 50’s to the 70’s) and playing the guitar. 

She really enjoyed doing road trips to festivals showcasing fiddle and country music.

The other pivotal person in Shirley's life was Ken. He altered the path, making her life better. Her kids and siblings were extremely important to her but it was Ken who helped her navigate through and improve her life.  Thanks to the man who is your father.

Along with being a mother and partner in life she was an aunt and a great-aunt.

Shirley will be remembered by some as “being a bit of a character” fun to be around, by others as a person easy to talk to, to work ‘things’ out.   

She will be missed by them all.

Shirley’s final care has been entrusted to the

Pilon Family Funeral Home and Chapel Ltd., 50 John Street North, Arnprior

where friends may join the family during visitation on Monday evening, April 8^th from 7 to 9 p.m.

A private family graveside service will take place at the Rosebank Cemetery at a later date.

In memory of Shirley, please consider a donation to the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Foundation.