This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Shirley Petersen 73 years old , born on August 2, 1936 and passed away on January 19, 2010. We will love and remember her forever.

My mother Shirley was born in Innisfail, Alberta, Canada. When her parents Charles and Marion Whatley moved to Calgary, Alberta, she met her husband-(my dad-Leslie) when she was 15-and married him at 16. 

My mother loved nature-life-freedom-children and animals...she had a high sense  of justice-which I inherited from her. She was a kind, loving person, who helped people, and bought clothes to give away to our many relatives, and other people.  She never had anything bad to say about anyone, unless she would give good advice.

She was an artist, Excellent ice-skater, tree climber when young..she wanted to become a Theater actress..which sadly she never got to accomplish. A judge once told her she would have made a good lawyer, when she defended my bother Bradford in court one time. She had an excellent way of matching fashion, and could measure curtains just by looking at them. She was a gifted artist and speed reader..she could read a book very fast and tell you any page she had just read.

She was the one who gave me the name Laura-which meant a lot to her....

My mother loved the Lord, and taught me everything she knew about God..her mother taught her about God through nature and what she knew.

She was the most loving mother one could have...I always told her that and told her I would always love her. She once told me-she didn't just have us in this world-but for the world to come-ETERNITY.

She worked hard to raise us on the little she had-because my dad would have trouble working because of his legs being injured in the Korean War. She walked the streets finding ways to bring food home to her family, and clothes, etc. 

When she lived in Kamloops, she delivered a woman's baby..who was in a cab..and the driver didn't know what to do. My mom did, as she and her eldest sister Nellie used to help their mom deliver her babies..they lived far from the main hospital..and their mother was very sick.

She loved us-her children-all eleven of us-

Merrily Leslie (Deceased-1953-1953)

Gary Edward

Bradford Allen Murphy

Laura Lynn (me)

Mitchell Kelly

Leslie Byron (Bino)

Carla Ann

Miles Sanborn

Three other children that weren't born are in heaven...

RIP Momma, one day we'll meet again, and what a day that will be...sadly miss you.