Shirley Kathryn Ferpotto Bain

Shirley Kathryn Ferpotto Bain, a longtime civic leader, volunteer and advocate for mental health, passed peacefully on December 30, 2025, in Coppell, Texas, at the age of 94. She was born on January 5, 1931, in Caney, Kansas to Kathryn and John A. Ferpotto.

Shirley grew up in Kansas and attended high school in Marquette, Kansas. Shirley received her nursing degree from the University of Kansas in 1953, and did graduate course work at the Menninger Foundation and Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, University of Minnesota (public health nursing) and University of Kansas (public health and nutrition).

Throughout her life, Shirley was known for her dedication to service, leadership, and community involvement, particularly in Fort Worth, Texas, where she made a lasting impact.

During the 1960s, known at that time as Shirley Camfield, she held an important leadership role in the mental health field as a psychiatric nurse and volunteer. She was also active in treating substance abuse and eating disorders. Her work took her across the country, reflecting her deep commitment to advancing mental health, awareness, and services during a formative period in the field.

From 1970–1979 Shirley was the Psychiatric Patient Care Specialist at St Joseph’s hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. She was a member of multiple Mental Health Associations in Texas, Colorado and in national organizations. Shirley was widely recognized for her civic engagement in volunteerism and was frequently featured in the Fort Worth Star Telegram for charitable and community efforts.

In 1976, she served as State President of the Texas Association for Mental Health; in 1978, she received Woman of the Year Award from ZONTA International—Fort Worth Chapter (a worldwide organization of executive women in business and professions); in 1980, she was State President of Citizens for Human Development, received an Honor from the Tarrant County Mental Health Association for her years of volunteer service to mental health, and again in 1980, she was invited to participate in a black tie dinner in Washington DC to honor First Lady Rosalyn Carter’s work for the National Mental Health Association, for which Shirley served as Vice President of Public Information and Education, where Jimmy Carter was the key-note speaker.

In 1983, Shirley was a Co-founder of “IN”, a self-help organization for impaired nurses; in 1984, she served as Vice Chairman of Volunteers of America. In the early 80s, Shirley was a Staff Director of the Comprehensive Care Corporation in Fort Worth. In the late 80’s, Shirley was the Program Manager of the Baylor Care Units in Dallas, Texas.

An avid gardener and nature enthusiast, Shirley was also actively involved in the Garden club of The Woman’s Club of Fort Worth for many years, as well as a volunteer at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens, where she shared her passion for beauty, growth, and community fellowship.

In addition to her community service work, Shirley was a kind friend to so many that she helped through personal difficulties. She weekly helped make sandwiches at St. Andrews for those in need.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Kathryn and John A. Ferpotto, her husband, John Bain, her sisters, Betty Hill and Jean Miller, and her niece Teresa Hill Nutt. She is survived by her son, Ken Mindell and his wife Cheryl, her stepson Paul Camfield, her grandchildren, Will, Olivia, and Celeste Camfield, her niece Connie Nelson, her nephews Bruce Hill and his wife Lyne, John Hill and his wife Kristin as well as her grandchildren Scott Olson and Brooke Vuckovic and their spouses and their children.