Shirley Anna LeMay

Mom passed away at the age of 86 at Mason General Hospital surrounded by her children.

She was born in Rainier, Washington to Erwen and Eunice (Parnell)Baldwin on March 15, 1930.

On June 2, 1949 she married James L. LeMay in Lake County, Illinois where Dad was stationed with the United States Army. He preceded her in death on June 18, 1986.

Mom had their first child, Sandi, while Dad was stationed in Illinois. After leaving the East Coast they were stationed in Colorado and Arizona. After Dad's honorable discharge from the Army they moved to Tacoma, Washington and had four more children. They then moved to Bremerton, Washington where Dad started work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard as a painter. She was a homemaker for a few years and then went to work at the Naval Torpedo Station at Bangor, Washington as a Clerk Typist. She also worked at Sears, Montgomery Ward's and J.C. Penney's in auditing, cataloging and sales. When not working she spent her time being a homemaker, wife and mother to five children. Sandi's birth was followed by Darlene then Debbie then Jim and last but not least was Bill.

She was actively involved with her two sons, Bill and Jim LeMay in Boy Scouts. Often she would be seen at awards ceremonies, soap box derbies, scout Jamborees, helping her boys work on numerous merit badges or just doing what was needed to support her sons.

After Dad's passing she sold their home in Bremerton and moved to Alpine Lake in Port Orchard, Washington. Her timing was great. She was in Alaska with my brother Bill when the house sold and her daughter Debbie had to sign all the papers and get her moved. It was a busy time.

Approximately twenty years after Dad's passing Mom was reunited with Walt Gronka, a friend she had known from her high school days and their friendship blossomed into a close relationship. They went on several trips together and enjoyed many of the same activities. She moved from Port Orchard to Shelton, Washington to be closer to Walt and equal distance between her daughters Darlene and Debbie. Walk passed away several years ago.

Mom enjoyed many fishing trips with her family to LaPush, Westport, Neah Bay and Seabeck to name a few places. These trips were always accompanied by a three room tent as camping was another one of her favorite activities. These outings often included hiking and camp fires with many marshmallows being roasted (or burned). She spent one summer in Ninilchik, Alaska managing the charter office for J & J Smart Charters where her son Bill was a boat Captain for the fishing charter company. She particularly liked the days she was able to go out fishing with her son.

She traveled extensively over the years and visited Holland, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Greece, Austria, Turkey, Israel, Mexico, Canada, China and six Greek Isles. One of her favorite trips was a six week excursion on Amtrak traveling through the United States. She loved nature and was able to see many beautiful places and met some interesting people. Gardening was important to her. He yard was always full of colorful bushes and flowers. She was proud of this and had a couple ladies stop one day to tell her she had the prettiest yard in the neighborhood.

Mom and Dad traveled to Eastern Washington (Wenatchee and Yakima) almost every summer while raising their children to bring back boxes of various fruit, tomatoes, corn on the cob, onions, green peppers, etc. The whole family was assigned tasks to help shuck, peel or cut all of the above which Mom and Dad then canned or put in the freezer. We felt fortunate to have such bounty in our pantry.

Numerous lucky recipients received handmade quilts or afghan blankets from Mom. She made over twenty quilts, over forty crochet scarves and over eighty afghans. many of the afghans and scarves were given to family and friends while many more were donated to her church, nursing homes, Shelton Senior Center and anyone who requested one. She also volunteered at the Mason County Senior Center with the sewing circle making quilts.

Mom was an avid reader and loved her word find games with daughter Dar kept her supplied with. Most recently her daughter Debbie presented her with a coloring book and pencils which she enjoyed. She created several pictures that will be hung in her yet to be born granddaughters (Olivia Janette LeMay) nursery when she arrives in January. She was a member of the Presbyterian Women's Associated, former member of The Westside Improvement Club in Bremerton and a former volunteer for the YWCA and Boy Scouts of America.

Besides our Dad, Mom was preceded in death by a son, James L. LeMay, a grandson, Ira James Keller, a granddaughter, Tara LeMay as well as three brothers, Ward, Erwen Jr. and Richard Baldwin.

She is survived by her daughters Sandi Bayle, Darlene Payne (Steve), Debra Saunders (Terry), a son, William LeMay (Jessie), a sister, Carol (Leo) Closner, brothers Jerry and Zane Baldwin and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by and very proud of her nine grandchildren, sixteen (soon to be seventeen) great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

Mom wanted to be remembered as being a compassionate, loving mother. Her message to her family and friends is to mourn, but do not dwell on my passing. Life must go on. I have lived and enjoyed life. Please do the same.

A memorial service will be held at Summit Avenue Presbyterian Church on September 24th, 2016 at 11:00 am. In memory or Shirley, donations may be made in her name to the Mason County Senior Center Sewing Circle at 190 W Sentry Drive, Shelton, Washington 98584.