The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.

Our beloved wife and mother peacefully passed away, after 66 beautiful years on this earth. Shirlanne Alicia Downton (Deplonty) was the most loving wife to Randy, mother to Dwayne (Michelle) Downton and Alicia (Nathan) Moffatt and the most wonderful grandmother to Micah Downton and Theodore Moffatt.

On October 1, 2023 she made the journey to reunite with all those who have gone before her. She is survived by her husband, two children, and two grandchildren. She is also survived by her mother Evelyn Deplonty, siblings: Wanita (Gerry) Ellis, Wayne Deplonty and Joyce (Shaun) McDonnell. She was predeceased by her father Gordon Deplonty, aunts and uncles: Ann & John Hotchkiss, Joan and Andy Hester, and Loyd Hotchkiss.

Shir was born on August 10, 1957, in Cornwall, ON. She was born to Gordon Milton and Evelyn Della Joyce Deplonty. She was second born out of four. (She made darn sure she came in first place with her siblings every other time). They lived in a little yellow home on Cumberland Street, second house from the corner, before moving to 7th Street in 1977.

She attended grade school at Vincent Massey School and high school at General Vanier. She enrolled in everything that got her outside and played on numerous sports teams including basketball and volleyball. She loved to be outdoors, as long has she had a warm, dry bed to come home to; God forbid, she had to spend a night in a tent, with the bugs.

After graduation she packed her bags and was on a plane to Europe, (as she tells it) in under 2 hours. Following her travels, she made the transition to big city living in Scarborough (Toronto), ON. She proudly worked as a bank teller at CIBC for quite a few years. While living in Toronto, she was set up with Randy by some very dear friends. It didn’t take long for their love story to lift off, but couldn’t truly fly without Dwayne’s approval of Mom. And like everyone else, her heart and nurturing demeanour won Dwayne over. Randy and Dwayne were living in Moose Jaw when they met, so Shir made a leap of faith to join Randy and Dwayne in Moose Jaw, SK. On Saturday, August 13, 1988, Shirlanne Deplonty become Shirlanne Downton when she married Randall Downton with Dwayne by their side in Cornwall, ON. They lived in Moose Jaw for over a year, before moving back to Ontario for a job opportunity in St. Catherine’s. It wasn’t long and they decided to return back home to Cornwall to help with her father’s family business.

She fell into a mothering role naturally and was a dedicated home maker for the family until Alicia was born in 1992, and beyond. She was the cheerleader for both kids at their sports, made sure every school project was completed, all while caring for Randy throughout his illness, it was remarkable. She always offered the kids’ friends and other kids a warm bed and a meal to fill their belly, when in need as well

Randy and Shir made another big move, this time to be closer to Randy’s family in Spruce Grove, AB. Here, Shir took on numerous jobs: restaurant server, cleaning, cooking, always working hard to contribute to her family. When Shir and Randy became empty nesters, the pull of family came again, this transition brought them to Broderick, SK, which was 6 hours closer to the first grandson and future grandson. In this home, they finally found moms dream home, a big kitchen, an orchard, an office, a phone in every room and even a garage for Randy. On August 13, 2023, Shir and Randy celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary. She truly, truly was a crazy lady, in Randy’s words…but 35 years married to him would do it to anyone.

We are very ‘Shir’ she is up there catching up with everyone up in heaven because Canada Post doesn’t deliver cards up there. Jesus’ love was abundant and pure for those, despite their flaws and imperfections, Shir applied this to her daily life ; she was accepting of anyone and everyone. In her eyes, this world was made of Prince Charmings and Princess Charmings for her to love and cherish.

Your Hug Meant the World
Nobody else held me so tight
Or made me feel so right
No one's eyes shined so bright with love
As my mom, who is now high above
- Tamsen Butler-