Katherine "Shelley" McLaren came to Perth in 1985 after having taught in Alexandria and Almonte. With the expansion of Catholic education they needed teachers with high school qualifications so she was transferred to SJCHS. In nearly 35 years as a teacher she literally taught every grade from Jr. Kindergarten to Grade 13. An organist, pianist and professional singer she was actively involved in church music ministry and became known as "Mrs. Town Crier" (starting in 2005), something she enjoyed immensely. She married Brent McLaren in 1980 who was Perth's Town Crier. They had two children: Sarah (1982) and Nathan (1985). For over two decades, Shelley also directed two large community choirs: the Men and the Women of the Tay, which continue to entertain the community with numerous concerts each season. Always smiling and eager to lend a hand, she was respected for her many talents and the way she gave freely of herself to others, something even a 2 1/2 battle with cancer could not diminish. Shelley was blessed with a truly beautiful voice: anyone who heard it would have to agree. She was a presence, a voice and a smile we all miss. Her final words to us were, "Now it's your turn to shine."
Katherine "Shelley" McLaren came to Perth in 1985 after having taught in Alexandria and Almonte. With the expansion of Catholic education they needed teachers with high school qualifications so she was transferred to SJCHS. In nearly 35 years as a teacher she literally taught every grade from Jr. Kindergarten to Grade 13. An organist, pianist and professional singer she was actively involved in church music ministry and became known as "Mrs. Town Crier" (starting in 2005), something she enjoyed immensely. She married Brent McLaren in 1980 who was Perth's Town Crier. They had two children: Sarah (1982) and Nathan (1985). For over two decades, Shelley also directed two large community choirs: the Men and the Women of the Tay, which continue to entertain the community with numerous concerts each season. Always smiling and eager to lend a hand, she was respected for her many talents and the way she gave freely of herself to others, something even a 2 1/2 battle with cancer could not diminish. Shelley was blessed with a truly beautiful voice: anyone who heard it would have to agree. She was a presence, a voice and a smile we all miss. Her final words to us were, "Now it's your turn to shine."
Inscription
McLaren ... Ephesians 4:2 ... [Katherine Shelley, née McAlear, 1953-2021, "Mrs. Town Crier"] ... with the image of a maple leaf and a cardinal
Gravesite Details
A grey bench with an inscribed ground marker.
