Tributes paid to caring Shirley

TRIBUTES have been paid to a caring Oldhamer who spent more than 20 years volunteering for local charities.

Shirley Beaumont (59), of Spencer Street, died last Thursday after losing her battle with leukaemia, which she was diagnosed with four months ago.

Dedicated to local charity shops, Shirley spent 16 years volunteering at the Shelter shop in Yorkshire Street and moved to the Cancer Research shop in Market Place five years ago.

Daughter Kirstie Carr (38) said: “She wasn’t just a mum she was our best friend and nothing was ever too much trouble.

“She had an infectious smile and bright blue eyes and was so caring.

“We didn’t realise it at the time but she spent so much time volunteering in the shops and we’re so proud of her.”

A staff nurse at the Royal Oldham Hospital, Kirstie was working on the ward above the new Christie’s haematology ward where her mother was being cared for.

She also brought her wedding to fiancé Stuart forward a year so her mother could be there, and although she did not make the wedding she still got to help her daughter pick out her dream dress.

Kirstie said: “She was so pleased she had managed to do that.

“We would like to thank the staff on ward F11 who were absolutely fantastic with her.”

Ann Taylor, a friend and manager at the Cancer Research shop, said: “She was very caring with everybody, we were like sisters.

“She was so good at customer service and had a lot of followers locally, and was extremely dedicated to the charities.”

She leaves behind another daughter, Vikki, and three grandchildren — Shelbie, Charleace and Blaine.

The funeral will be held at Hollinwood Crematorium next Tuesday at 2pm.