Shirley Irene Sallaway

Shirley was born on November 11th, 1942 in Cortez, Co, the daughter of Charlie & Myrtle (Wright) Griffith.

Since 1960, Shirley has called Arizona her Home. She spent most of her adult life as a Labor and Delivery Nurse at both Phoenix General & St. Joseph's Hospitals. Shirley will be missed by all her Family and Many Friends.

Memorial Service will be Saturday, June 21st, 2025 at Phoenix Memorial Park & Mortuary,200 West Beardsley Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85027. Viewing begins at 9am with Service to follow at 10am. A procession to Resthaven West Cemetery will begin at approx. 11:00am for Graveside Prayer & Interment.

Shirley grew up in the small Town of Dove Creek, CO. The family lived in a 2 room house, built by Charlie Griffith,on 'Bug Point', for the first four years of Shirley's life. In 1946 the family moved closer to Town,into a 4 bedroom house, also built by Charlie, several Farm Hands, friends & neighbors. On their little Farm, they raised many chickens, sheep, goats, some pigs, a few dogs, several Barn Cats & a horse.

Shirley Graduated H.S. in 1960, from Dolores County High School in Dove Creek. After the Summer, Shirley ventured to Arizona, where she attended Grand Canyon College. While there, she made many friends and joined a few Clubs/Groups.

One such Group, was a Pen-Pal writing Group. They wrote to enlisted Service Men, Overseas. This is how she met Thomas Gallagher. They really enjoyed writing to each other, and during a short leave from the Army, Thomas came home to Arizona & met Shirley in person. They attended a few Church Services together & chose to continue writing to each other until Thomas was Discharged from the Army. Shirley continued at GCC and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Business Finance and Nursing Studies. Shirley & Thomas continued dating until Shirley was finished with College. They were married in January 1962. They had two children, a Son and a Daughter. Shirley took in people's laundry as a way of helping support their little family. The family moved to Central Phoenix, where Shirley found a job at Beverly Manor Nursing Home. She enjoyed her job there. She took care of Singer, Buck Owens' Sister, during her time at Beverly Manor.

After her children were in school, Shirley obtained her 1st job as a Labor & Delivery Nurse at Phoenix General Hospital.

She excelled at that job and really enjoyed working there with her many lovely co-workers. The family moved again, in 1972, to the Maryvale area. Shortly after the move, Shirley got a job offer from St. Joseph's Hospital, which she gladly accepted. Shirley continued in Labor & Delivery, getting a promotion to Ward Clerk in the late '70's. Shirley continued her position at St. Joe's into the '80's, when a torn knee cap ligament ended her Nursing Career.

During the late '70's through early '80's, Shirley raised a large garden in their back yard. She was very skilled at growing

many different vegetables, supplying Family & neighbors with bountiful fresh veggies! Shirley also enjoyed raising a variety of dogs & cats, each holding a special place in her heart. Following her knee injury, Shirley spent the next few years spending time with Family and Friends. She began babysitting in 1987. Shirley enjoyed the challenges of watching children in her home for many years, often becoming babysitter for Siblings of those she began watching in '87.

In 1988, the decision was made to divorce Thomas Gallagher. This was a tough decision for Shirley, but her & Tom remained good friends, until his death in 2004.

In the early '90's Shirley began a new career. She started working as a Secretary, and then Coordinator for the White Rose Chapel & Mortuary in Glendale, AZ. Shirley continued her work in this area until the late '90's, when she met another Thomas. Thomas Sallaway. This Thomas, though quite younger, had many of the same interests as Shirley. Shirley had found fun times with Life-long friends, Norma, Judy & Nancy, visiting Casinos in Arizona & Nevada.

Shirley found that this Thomas, also liked to visit Casinos, traveling by car enjoying the sights & sounds along the way.

Thomas Sallaway introduced Shirley to his Family & that was all it took......she was Smitten! Shirley Gallagher became

Shirley Sallaway on February 14th, 1997. The next 25 years were the most cherished by Shirley, with her Life-long Friends, New Friends, Family, both hers & Tom's, trips to Las Vegas, each year on their Anniversary, to see The Oak Ridge Boys live in Concert! On their 14th Wedding Anniversary, The Oak Ridge Boys honored her request, and sang her favorite Love Song, just for the Happy Couple!

Shirley meticulously documented each & every trip- EVERYWHERE- in Pictures and/or Journals. They have Albums upon Albums of cherished Memories with Friends, Family and the Many Wonderful People & Places Shirley & Tom Ventured to.

Shirley got to live Her Best Life, on Her Terms, as it should've been.

Shirley is preceded in Death by her Sisters; Mary Tabor & Charlieen Patton, Brother; George Griffith

and Granddaughter; Delta Miller.

She is Survived by her Husband of 27 years, Thomas Sallaway, an Estranged Son, Daughter; Nollisa Miller (Joseph),

Granddaughters; Crystal Hozian (Nick), Amber Flack, Summer Elliott (Ben), and Joliann Miller (F. JJ). Great Grandchildren; Destiny Hathaway, Kayden & Syrus Flack, and Benjamin Elliott, as well as Many Nieces, Nephews, Grandnieces & Grandnephews, extended Family & many Close & Dear Friends.

The Family would like to give a Special Thank You to: Gina, Sarah, Brittany, Val & Ace, from Home Instead as well as ALL the Nurses & Attendants at Estrella Hospice & Rehab Center in Avondale, AZ, for their Heart Filled Care & Expertise shown to Shirley & her Family, during the final weeks of her life.

In Lieu of Flowers, Please consider making a Donation in Her Honor to the Desert Southwest Chapter of the

Alzheimer's Association: at www.alz.org/dsw