We were strangers when she messaged me - asking if she could take photos of me painting. Although amusingly enough, we never got around to that shoot, we had many others; filled with laughter, spontaneity and bonding over creativity.
I worked with Shirley at Cognos for a while, but kept up with her afterwards, because she was the kind of person toward whom you'd naturally gravitate. I ran into her and Dan on Elgin Street after a race once, and of course she was toting a camera and took a few shots of me with my medal.
I have known Shirley since 1995. She was dating Dan when I started dating Larry. One of my favourite things about Shirley was her laugh. She had a great giggle and found the same things funny that I do. She was a creative, energetic, giving, caring and impulsive person. Her photography passion blossomed over the years and she made everyday things so beautiful. She had an artistic eye that exposed the beauty in everything. She captured unconditional love and friendship (animal and human) through her camera lenses.
Dec 1014 Mainstreeter Article written by Marni Kagan
Eva Cooper will never forget her first encounter with Shirley Bittner.
Three years ago, Bittner “bounced” into Delilah, Cooper’s new fashion store for women in the Glebe, with her blonde curls and a camera around her neck.