Mrs Shirley McMillan

She was born October 12th, 1922, to Elizabeth (Bessie) and Lawrence McMillen and grew up in the small Minnesota town of Le Center, surrounded by lakes, farms and extended family. She graduated from Miss Woods Academy in Minneapolis and taught nursery school for a time until, one Saturday night at a local lakeside dance club, she met a handsome Air Corps 2nd Luey on leave from the war. She married Daniel McMillan of neighboring St. Peter in 1948.

In a 1955 December blizzard, they packed up their car, two (at that time) kids, and fox terrier and headed for California, where they worked hard, raised four kids, and made a life of friends, fun, hardships, laughter, and some tears. But, barely a year went by without a family trip back to Minnesota, to the home and lifelong friends they never let go of.

Shirley was first a mother and wife, a devout Catholic, and like most people a combination of sometimes confounding attributes. Asking questions was her stock and trade; she was the most curious person about the most obscure things! She made you laugh and drove you nuts. She was a worrier, sentimental, cried easily, but had nerves of steel when it counted and usually got the last word. She was a social being, took pride and pleasure in her home, but didn't want to sit around there. She liked being out and about and on the move. The day she had to stop driving was the day her many interests began to diminish.

Through her 94 years Shirley tap danced, became a talented seamstress, danced to the big bands, contributed four kids to the baby boom, played the piano and organ, including the historic pipe organ in San Jose's St. Joseph Cathedral, made birthdays and Christmases special, hosted coffee-fueled card and domino games, pressed flowers, restored antiques, painted ceramics, raised dogs, and never missed mass or a chance for an outing. Sunday drives were a must.

She mourned her husband and eldest son, taken much too soon, survived illness and surgeries without complaint, found enjoyment in volunteering and her Catholic women's clubs, and always drew strength from her faith.

Non-guilty pleasures: Happy Hound polish dogs, episodes of Cops, talking to any stranger at any time and in any place and under any circumstances (always finding one from Minnesota). There was some guilt in an occasional Benson Hedges around the back of the garage.

Recent years of incapacity kept her mostly at home, and that's where Shirley passed, as she had wanted to, on January 16th, with her daughters, dear friend Tess Mendoza, and dogs at her bedside.

She'll be missed by children Lee Ann, Jane and Michael McMillan; grandkids Jeff and Jennifer McMillan, Michael Kuwica and Kristen Miller, and Nicholas McMillan. Great grandkids who will wish they could have known her are Elsa McMillan and new baby Kuwica arriving this summer.

She's been reunited, at long last, with husband Danny, son Scott, brother Wayne, beloved aunt Olive, parents, grandparents, and generations of Scotch-Irish and French-Alsatian-German relatives whose pictures and stories she cherished and passed on to us.

Thanks Shirley, Mom, Grandma Mac, for everything.

THE MEMORARE

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

The 12th century Memorare prayer asks our loving advocate and protector, The Blessed Mother Mary, for her assistance and her grace when we're troubled the most.

Services

*Visitation Sunday, 1/29, 6pm-9pm, rosary at 7pm, at Willow Glen Funeral Home, 1039 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose.

*Funeral Mass Monday, 1/30, 11am - 12n at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 2278 Booksin Avenue (at Curtner), San Jose.

*Burial 12:30p at Los Gatos Memorial Park, 2255 Los Gatos - Almaden Road, San Jose.

*Reception immediately following, 1-4pm, at Viva Los Gatos Neighborhood Eatery, 15970 Los Gatos Blvd, Los Gatos. Just 1.5 miles and 6 minutes from Los Gatos Memorial Park.

*Those desiring to make donations can do so to Catholic Charities.

Arrangements under the direction of Willow Glen Funeral Home, San Jose, CA.