Shirley Elaine Kochman

Shirley Elaine Kochman passed away peacefully on November 18, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, dedication and service. She will be dearly missed by all, and for the countless families whose lives she touched, her impact will live on.

Born in Dallas, Texas, to Abraham S. Kochman and Goldye Cohen, Shirley spent her early childhood in Wichita Falls, Texas, where her family owned The Cinderella Store, and later in Ft. Worth, Texas, making memories with her Grandmother Cohen and her beloved Cohen cousins who lived along the same block. Her father, “Abe”, was in the ready-to-wear apparel business and travelled frequently to New York City on buying trips. As a young child, Shirley expressed an interest in music and asked him for a violin. Shortly thereafter, upon her father’s return from a business trip, he presented her with a beautiful violin, which launched her lifetime love of music.

Around fifth grade, Shirley’s family moved into University Park, where she attended the original Robert S. Hyer Elementary, and later graduated from Highland Park High School. She then attended Sophie Newcombe College in New Orleans and ultimately graduated from The University of Texas at Austin. In addition, she later earned a Master’s in Counseling from The University of North Texas.

An accomplished musician, Shirley had a profound talent and love for music that permeated all her endeavors, accompanied by an inherent desire to serve her community. She shared these gifts with the younger generation as a music teacher at Robert S. Hyer Elementary for 11 years before becoming the inaugural sixth grade counselor at then newly-named McCulloch Middle School, ultimately counseling students for 21 years. She found great pride and satisfaction in helping youth navigate life’s challenges. She retired in 1991 after 32 years of service, yet remained Highland Park ISD’s biggest fan in every regard. She often told of her father’s untimely passing, while she was yet young and new to the community, tenderly recalling that her Highland Park teachers were “…the first to our house” with comforting food and condolences. That outpouring of support by those HP teachers influenced Shirley to pursue a career serving in the school system.

In 2011, Shirley was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the Highland Park Alumni Association. Additionally, she received the Arts Advocate Award for outstanding advocacy for arts in education from HP Arts. She was also actively engaged, both at local and state levels, in Delta Kappa Gamma, an international educators’ society, and served as a local chapter president, area coordinator and state music chairman. The organization also honored her with a state achievement award. Through her generosity, Shirley established two endowed funds at Highland Park High School in honor of her dear friends and fellow educators: The Doris Griffith Orchestra Fund and the Eileen Steenson French Fund, to support the orchestra and the French language departments Highland Park High School.

Shirley was a founding member of the Richardson Symphony and a violinist in the orchestra for 31 years as well as a founding member of the Allen Philharmonic. In addition, she played with the group Ye Merrie Olde Players, who donated their proceeds to the VNA Meals on Wheels or the SMU Women’s Scholarship Fund. With her friends Eileen Steenson and Doris Griffith, she founded The Party Cookie Company, baking and selling homemade cookies for the holidays and special events. Sales proceeds were also generously donated to VNA Meals on Wheels.

When Shirley and her family moved onto Purdue Avenue circa 1945, they attended the original Temple Emanu-El located on South Boulevard. Shirley often recounted her fond memory of walking to the corner of Preston Road and Purdue each Sunday morning, to await the bus collecting the neighborhood children for Hebrew School. As a teenager and later as an adult, Shirley embraced learning under Rabbi Levi Olan.

Above all her accomplishments and initiatives, Shirley was known to be a beacon of joy and encouragement throughout her life. Her hobbies reflected her vibrant personality and love for others. She enjoyed entertaining at the Park City Club, loved playing Sudoku and adored her dog, Prince. Shirley was a ray of sunshine to her neighbors who would see on her daily walks with Prince around the neighborhood. Her consistently positive attitude was reflected in conversation and interaction with others.

Shirley celebrated life, and her impact will live on through the countless families she served throughout her years. Her compassion and commitment touched the lives of many and helped shape future generations in her community. Those who were blessed to know her will always remember the joy she brought to every room and the smile she always had on her face.

She is survived by her loving Cohen and Kochman extended family members and by her attentive former student, Kay Keeland, who attended to her every need in the sunset of life. Her beloved companion, Ada Starling, faithfully cared for Shirley until her passing.

As requested, Shirley was interred near her parents Abe and Goldye, and in close proximity to her Cohen grandparents, all in the Beth-el section of Greenwood Cemetery, Fort Worth, Texas. A private graveside service was conducted by Rabbi Michael Lewis of Temple Emanu-El on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Shirley, you made the world a better place. We love you.

In lieu of gifts, memorials may be made to the HP Education Foundation, 4201 Grassmere Lane, Dallas, Texas 75205-1040 to benefit either the DORIS GRIFFITH ORCHESTRA FUND or the EILEEN STEENSON FRENCH FUND at her beloved Highland Park High School.