Shirley Pettifer Memorial Bench

In memory of Shirley Pettifer, a much-loved and respected former Vanier College colleague who passed away recently, a commemorative bench bearing a plaque to her memory has been installed in the Garden.

In thinking of a way to honour the life and career of Shirley Pettifer, family members and friends decided to purchase and donate the memorial bench for the grounds of the College, a place she called home. The bench is located in the Collective Gardens, in a spot ideal for spending time thinking about all that Shirley meant to Vanier as a teacher, colleague, and most importantly, friend, to so many of us.

Shirley was a pillar of the College community from 1977 to 2016. Throughout her long career, Shirley contributed enormously to the college and to the community. She was an enthusiastic and dedicated Sociology teacher, receiving the Teaching Award in the 2003-2004 Academic year. She was a founding member of Women's Studies; a two-time coordinator of the Social and Cultural Sciences department; Vice-Chair of Academic Council; the moving force behind two of Vanier’s Strategic Plans; a VCTA Executive Council member and lifelong union activist. She served on countless committees and was a tireless mentor to her colleagues and role-model for her students.

Her spirit, energy, zest for life, and dedication will be dearly missed by all those who she had an impact on.