Shirley Hedge, ‘Dalby’s sweetheart’ and business woman honoured in heartfelt tributes

Drivers pulled over their cars and residents gathered along the main street of Dalby this morning to farewell a beloved business woman after her heartbreaking passing last week. See the touching tributes.

Dalby residents paid tribute to beloved business woman Shirley Hedge after she sadly lost her battle with leukemia at 88-years-old. Photo Contributed

It was a sombre morning in the Western Downs region this morning as residents gathered early Tuesday in honour of a Dalby woman who touched the hearts of many.

Shirley Hedge, who was also known as the Hedge’s Sports Store’s “matriarch,” sadly passed away at her home on September 24 while surrounded by loved ones.

The sports store announced on their social media that the beloved 88-year-old business woman lost her battle with leukaemia last week after a valiant fight.

Friends and family of the woman honoured her by gathering on Cunningham St early Tuesday morning to send their farewells as she travelled down the main strip of town one last time before the hearse was taken to Dalby cemetery.

Brian and Shirley Hedge.

“She was Dalby’s sweetheart and loved by many,” Hedge’s Sports Store said on their Facebook.

Other local businesses expressed their sadness for the love of a Dalby business legend.

Online directory Dalby. Info shared, “Sending our deepest sympathies to Brian and family. Shirley has been an integral part of Dalby’s business landscape for many decades. She will be sadly missed”.

In 2015 Brian and Shirley Hedge celebrated their 60th year of marriage, and had owned the successful sports store for 41 years.

FAMILY FOCUS: Shirley, Brian and Kylie Hedge, and Pam Bradley at Hedge’s Sports Store.

The duo were also major players in the Dalby squash scene, having organised a fundraiser at the courts for their granddaughter who was one of the victims in the London terrorist attack back in 2017.

Dalby Squash took to their Facebook last Tuesday, “Due to the sad passing of our beloved Shirley we will be postponing the start of the Summer Squash season for a week, we will commence back on Tuesday 10th October. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hedge family at this sad time, Shirley will be very much missed by all”.