Shirley Ann Bouma

Shirley Ann Bouma born in Grand Rapids December 12, 1944 passed away peacefully at the age of 81 on December 21, 2025, leaving behind a heart full of love and a lifetime of cherished memories. She was a woman of warmth, spirit, and quiet strength whose laughter and kindness brightened the lives of everyone who knew her.

Shirley had a gift for making people feel welcome and deeply cared for. She delighted in life’s simple pleasures and shared that joy generously—with a smile, a listening ear, or a kind word offered at just the right moment. Shirley devoted her life to geriatric nursing and held a special place for each of her patients.

A devoted Detroit Tigers fan, Shirley never missed a game and cheered faithfully through every season. One of her favorite memories was attending a Tigers game on Mother’s Day, where her enthusiastic cheering caught the attention of the crowd. Before long, the stadium joined in chanting, “Let’s go Shirley!”—a joyful moment filled with laughter and pride that perfectly captured her spirited nature.

Her family was the center of her world, and she gave her love freely and wholeheartedly. She is survived by her twin daughters Kim (Randy) Kraft and Kaye (Rich) McCarty, whom she adored. She also leaves behind her grandchildren Jake and Samantha Newberry, whom she loved deeply and were her pride and joy. She also had a special place in her heart for all of her nieces and nephews, especially nieces Linda Reinstra and Lori Vereeke. Shirley also loved her pretend daughters Caty McNeil and Haley Streeter. She will be very missed by her neighbors and friends at New Amsterdam Village.

Shirley will be remembered for her warmth, her gentle humor, her infectious enthusiasm, vivacious laugh, and the boundless love she poured into her family. Her spirit lives on in every cheer, every shared laugh, and every loving memory.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at a later date. The family welcomes memories and messages at cookcaresgrandville.com in their online guestbook.