Shirley’s story to aid hospice’s work

The story of a medium and healer who grew up in Mirfield has been published in her memory by two of her closest friends.
SPIRITUALIST STORY Shirley and David Elsey.SPIRITUALIST STORY Shirley and David Elsey.
SPIRITUALIST STORY Shirley and David Elsey.

Shirley Elsey hoped the book would allow her charitable work to continue long after her death.

And with proceeds going to the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, it seems her wish will be fulfilled.

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Friend Jacky Cooper said: “Shirley did a lot for different charities and she wanted all the proceeds of the book to go to benefiting children with life-limiting illness.

“We visited the hospice not long after she died. She would have loved to support something some near to her old home.”

Mrs Elsey (neé Shappell), one of eight children, moved to Mirfield with her family when she was two.

Her book, The Awakening – A Mill Girl’s Story, focuses on her work as a medium and healer over more than 40 years.

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It details her first encounter with a spirit while sharing a house with her grandma in Lower Hopton as well as her involvement with Dewsbury Spiritualist Church.

Mrs Elsey, who lived in Mirfield, Dewsbury and Batley at different times, also worked with Morley Spiritualist Church alongside her husband David.

Mrs Cooper said Mrs Elsey started writing the book after a message from a spirit.

“Shirley said to people ‘I’ll never be able to write a book’ and the next thing we knew she was doing it,” she said.

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“She didn’t want it publishing until after she died, but I had organised for the book to be printed without her knowing it.

“It arrived with me two days after she died.”

Mrs Elsey, who had been living in Lincolnshire, passed away at a care home in Bourne in late October.

The book is available for £7.99 from Mrs Cooper on 01526 830911 or by emailing [email protected].

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