Shirley Anne Cavella

Shirley went home to the Lord on September 8, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was born in Fresno, Ca, the youngest of six children born to Steve M and Lois Walden Acosta. She attended Heaton Elem., Hamilton Jr. High and was graduated from Fresno High School in 1957. She enrolled at Fresno State where she met and later married her husband Ron E. Cavella. Her mother's death interrupted her education, however after a 20-year hiatus, she returned and was graduated from California State University, Fresno with a degree in journalism-public relations. She was named Outstanding Public Relations Student for her graduating class. Shirley and Ron celebrated their 53rd anniversary June 19, 2016. Shirley, Ron and their children Ron M. and Jennifer spent their summers at Huntington Lake where the children learned to fish, hike and sail. She loved the family's many pets throughout the years which included lots of dogs, cats, rabbits and horses. Happy to be a stay at home mom when her children were young, Shirley enjoyed playing golf, tennis, waterskiing and bridge during those early years. She also dabbled with painting, knitting, sewing, macrame and was always an voracious reader. She was also very active in community service work with the Littlest Angel Chapter of Children's Home Society, Saint Therese's Parent Club, PTA for Fresno Unified, and was a lifetime member of Service Alliance of Community Hospitals of Central California. During her career years working as a public relations practitioner, Shirley was invited to join The Exchange Club of Fresno, becoming its first woman member. She also served as its president before settling in the position of newsletter editor, a job she held for 16 years. She won many local, state and national honors for the club for her work. She was named Outstanding Exchangite of The Year in 1995-1996. She was also the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. Shirley served on the boards of The Salvation Army and the School of Health and Social Work at CSUF. Shirley loved the San Francisco 49ers, the San Francisco Giants and conservative politics. After her retirement, she and her family tried to spend at least one weekend a month at Morro Dunes in Morro Bay. It was at this time that her grandson Aleks came into her life. He quickly became the light of her life, calling her “Honeybear" until age 5, and renaming her "Sasha.” Some of her most treasured memories were Aleks at Huntington Lake, Morro Bay and sports and other events at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School. Shirley wrote the grant allowing for the first arson/accelerant detection dog in the Fresno County area. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Mary Louise Hill, brother Fredrick, brother, Robert and brother, James E. Acosta..She is survived by her husband Ron, son Ron M., daughter, Jennifer Baker, ex son-in-law Scott Baker and beloved grandson Aleks Baker. Missing her also will be her sister Frances and brother-in-law Chuck DelRe; niece Kimberly Acosta; Karen Mastro and her companion James Wilhoit, as well as many great nieces and nephews. She leaves behind many loyal and loving friends that added so much richness and comfort to her life.

The family would like to especially thank the Lung Nodule Program and its coordinator Kathy Norkunas, Chrystal and Sheree, wonderful caregivers and Dr. Michael Moffett for the compassionate care at the end of her life.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Monday, October 24, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Jude's; any veteran organization, NancyHinds Hospice or the Salvation Army.