Shirley Kirton Seamons

Shirley Kirton Seamons, beloved wife, mother, “Nana,” sister, and friend, slipped peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father Tuesday, March 28, 2017, after a long, valiant struggle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Shirley bore this trial with dignity and grace, living her life as fully as possible until the very end. We are grateful she is free from pain and discomfort, and know she is delighted to be unshackled from the prison her body had become. Nevertheless, she will be missed tremendously until we see her smiling face once more.

Shirley was born to Joseph William Kirton and Jewel Hoerler Kirton, the second of four children, on January 7, 1952 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Shirley described her early years as “very much like the TV shows show life in the 1950s” – her childhood was filled with neighborhood games with friends. She loved school and was an excellent student. At just thirteen, she met the love of her life, Richard (Ric) Leo Seamons, Jr. On November 16, 1968, while Ric was on leave from the U.S. Army, and after nearly four years of courtship, they eloped in Fort Riley, Kansas. During their time in Fort Riley they had their first child. After Ric and Shirley moved back to Salt Lake City, where they lived the remainder of Shirley’s life, three other children followed. They were sealed for time and all eternity on January 11th, 1973 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Shirley was vivacious in every sense of the word. She spoke with her whole body, communicating with her hands as much as her voice. Her smile was radiant; her sparkling wit and enthusiasm for life were infectious. Shirley loved to laugh, loved to travel, loved to read, and most of all she loved good conversation (preferably on the beach at their summer home in Bear Lake, with chocolate, and an ice cold Coke). No one could tell a story like Shirley.

As much as she loved to have fun, Shirley possessed a keenly organized mind and a principled stubbornness; her determination was legendary. As a result she was exceptionally detailed and methodical in everything she undertook, whether it was running a household, working as an executive assistant, or managing her husband and son’s business. Shirley loved to learn, and she taught herself numerous subjects and specialties over her life. She was never afraid to roll up her sleeves and try something new. Her life experiences and independent learning gave Shirley a steady hand and a warm wisdom.

Shirley had numerous hobbies. She was an excellent cook. As a gift her children created a cookbook to record her recipes for prosperity. She enjoyed gardening and knew the names of almost any landscaping plant. She enjoyed home décor, and spent many hours designing the spaces in her own home as well as her children’s. She was often teased that while driving she spent more time looking at houses and yards than she did at the road. Shirley was also an accomplished hostess – her collection of dishes, tablecloths, and flatware were legendary to all who her knew her, and she had a place setting for any mood, holiday, or occasion. Shirley knew how to throw a party, and because of her expertise family and friends always sought Shirley’s input whenever they had to do the same; everything went more smoothly when Shirley was involved.

To match her determination, Shirley possessed a tender and compassionate heart. Her soul was often touched by things big and small, both common and special. She cried through church hymns and movies, during special ceremonies and family dinners. She had a special gift for seeing the hand of her Heavenly Father in all that surrounded her. Shirley had a deep and abiding testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and she was an example of faithfulness and dedication to her family.

Shirley was an excellent wife and mother. One of her greatest accomplishments, during her 48 years of marriage, was raising an exceptionally close family who truly enjoy spending time together. She took comfort in the promise of eternal families and the knowledge that someday she will once again be able to gather around the table with family and friends, laughing and telling stories until the wee hours of the morning.

Preceding Shirley in death are her parents. She is survived by her husband, Ric; her siblings David Kirton (Vera), Julia Smith (Clark), and Bruce Kirton; her children Richard Leo Seamons, III, Regina Jo Seamons Varga (Rich), Angela Seamons Heaton (Charles), and Lisa Seamons Romney (Spencer); her ten grandchildren, Sydney, Jake, and Ashley Seamons, Myles and Zole Varga, Annabelle, Ruth, Reggie, and Charlie Heaton, and Ingrid Romney; and the greatest study/travel/beach group ever, whose decades of friendship, love, and support qualifies them as “chosen family”.

A viewing will be held at the Olympus 5th ward house, located at 3070 E Nila Way on Monday, April 3rd, from 6-8 p.m. The funeral will be held at the same location on Tuesday, April 4th, at noon. There will be an additional viewing prior to the funeral, from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

The Seamons family would be appreciative of any donations made to the ALS Association in honor of Shirley.