Shirley Wurz-Telford

Born in Idaho Springs, Colorado, to Rose and Emmett Segrest, Shirley’s life journey was one of resilience, love, and dedication.

After spending her childhood moving across the United States, Shirley settled in the Tri-Cities area of Washington, graduating from Richland High School. She was proud to raise her family while excelling professionally as an executive secretary and stenographer at the Department of Energy's Hanford Plant. Later, she worked at Burlington Northern Railroad, where she served as an executive secretary and special trial stenographer. Shirley and her then husband ran Jerry’s Coffee Shop in Kennewick, while also starting and operating a home painting business.

While Shirley started her family in eastern Washington, she found her ultimate happiness on the western side of the state, settling in Kirkland. It was there that she met John Telford and fell madly in love. Together, they shared a magical decade. Blending their families in August of 1989, they created cherished memories through costume parties, Christmas traditions, family dinners, grandkid outings, Seahawks games, travel adventures, and working together in their home office. Shirley also launched and operated her own executive services business, which she ran successfully for over 20 years.

After John’s passing in 1999, Shirley displayed remarkable strength, focusing her energy on her beloved grandchildren. From hosting sleepovers to attending sporting events and honoring holiday traditions, she poured her heart into nurturing the next generation. A hallmark of Shirley’s love was taking each grandchild on a special 18th birthday trip, creating unforgettable memories. During this time, Shirley also became an active member of WICS, where she formed a treasured bond with her best friend, Mary McFarland. Even in her later years, Shirley worked part-time at Backstage Dance Studio, retiring only at the age of 83.

In retirement, Shirley embraced her passions: traveling to destinations such as Hawaii, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and the Washington coast, attending Broadway musicals, reading mysteries, binge-watching her favorite shows, and relishing time with her growing family, including her great-grandchildren.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Fred Segrest; her son, Thomas Glen Wurz; her grandson, Brett Roberts; and the love of her life, John Telford. She is survived by her sons Dan Wurz and Max Wurz; her stepchildren Marty (Mike) Roberts, Torrie (Cory) Kline, and Troy Telford; her grandchildren Melyssa (Spencer) Noren, Kaitlyn (Justin) Wald, Bailey Roberts, Parker Roberts, Hannah Wurz, Zach Wurz, Grayson Kline, Jayden Kline, Cooper Kline, and Colton Kline; and her great-grandchildren Saylen, Sammy, Addilyn, Taylor, and Alyssa.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held on Friday, January 31, at 11:00 AM at Sunset Hills Funeral Home. A reception and private burial will follow. Guests are invited to wear red in honor of Shirley’s favorite color and her loving spirit. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Widowed Information and Consultation Services of King County (WICS), an organization that profoundly impacted Shirley’s life.