Shirleyanne Faust Chase Parr passed away Thursday, April 12, 2018. She was born in Chicago, Illinois May 24, 1924 to Lillian and Frank Chase. She had one older brother who, as a young boy, was killed while crossing the street; her younger brother (Dick) died several years ago (his wife, Mary Jo and one surviving son, Kent, still live in Illinois).
Shirley joined the navy in 1944 and ended up at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. She took classes there and became a full-fledged member of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), a unit of the U.S. Naval Reserve corps (or Hospital Apprentices First Class), and was briefly assigned to the orthopedic ward at Bethesda. Soon after, she was transferred to the Medical Library and remained there until her discharge in 1946. (While in the Navy, she also became good friends with Janet White Prior – a lifelong friend who resides in Ft. Myers, FL).
After that, she enrolled at the University of Illinois in Champagne and there met her first husband, Ralph Parr (from Oblong, Illinois). Shirley graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. While at the University, Shirley and Ralph married and together, over the years, had three children – Sherrye, Kevin and Lori. Her youngest daughter, Lori, has one son, Justin, Shirley’s only grandchild. Shirley and Ralph divorced in 1968. Shirley married Jim Cartledge in the 1970s and lived in Seminole County until Jim’s death in 2001. She moved into a smaller house in Tuskawilla until her health declined and then moved into a long-term care facility in Longwood where she resided until her death.
Over the years, Shirley worked for a bank in Chicago, a radio station in Ohio (programs of interest to women listeners), was involved in the American Field Service (AFS) organization assisting with public relations relative to foreign students studying in Central Florida, a substitute teacher in Georgia, worked for the BNF Manufacturing Corporation in Orlando, volunteered for the local PTA in various locations for her children, and started and ran a small communications business in Orlando (Creative Communications) holding seminars to further professional, business and interpersonal communications skills. She also wrote poetry and had several published by the International Library of Poetry. In addition, she volunteered at the New Hope Covenant Church in Winter Park and the Winter Park Memorial Association. She was a member of Theta Sigma Phi (National Honor Society) and was on the Golden Honor Scroll (Dean’s List at college).
Shirley received her Master of Arts in Communication in 1973 from Florida Technological University in Orlando. Her thesis was entitled “Elements Affecting Foreign Students’ Attitudes Toward American Television”.
Although Shirley was born in Illinois, she was a southern lady at heart - always offering a helping hand, a listening ear and thoughtful advice to friends and family.
Shirley is survived by her son, Kevin Parr (Winter Springs); her daughters, Lori Parr (Winter Springs), Sherrye Parr and her husband, Louis Rotundo (Altamonte Springs); her grandson, Justin Parr and his fiancée, Sandy Pate (Orlando); her great-grandson, Gavin Parr (Oviedo); her nephew, Kent Chase (Elmhurst, IL); and three step-children, Bernice Mason (North Carolina), Jerry Cartledge and Michael Paul Cartledge.
Memories can be shared and condolences may be made through Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home at www. baldwinfairchild.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5