Mrs Shirley Saunders

Shirley Ruth Saunders, 80, of Dallas Texas, surrounded by family and friends passed peacefully into the arms of God on July 29, 2015. She was energetic and full of life until a sudden stroke took her from us.

Shirley was born in Oilton, Oklahoma on August 9, 1934 to Jackson T. Cooper and Lona L. Cooper. In 1943 the family moved to Long Beach, California as her father pursued a career in the oil business.

She attended High School in Long beach until her father was reassigned to Maricopa, California where Shirley graduated from Maricopa High School in 1953. After High School, she attended College in Taft, California, where she studied Art and Design. Throughout her life she had an appreciation of beauty and style and eventually studied at the New York School or Art and Design. It was also during this time she met and fell in love with her future husband. They were married in a double ceremony with her sister Lou and her fiancé Rick Fife. This was the beginning, and together they had a family and a wonderful life. She loved her family and “Grammy” was greatly loved in return.

Shirley and Matt’s marriage was the beginning of an adventure that would span their lives together. When he was assigned to Thailand, she fearlessly packed up her young family, and at the age of 28, embarked into an unknown world. She became adaptable and fearless, and moving from country to country she continually discovered and embraced the people, tastes, smells, and cultures that not only inspired her creatively but also philosophically. After nearly twenty years after living overseas they moved back to the United States but continued their extensive travel of the world together. The list of places they visited was like a travelogue; experiencing things many only dream of or read in books. She embraced and loved it all.

People were naturally drawn to Shirley and she loved to be with them; to talk or listen; to plan the next event or trip, or to just laugh or cry together. She could be the best friend you ever had and she easily made friends all over the world; she possessed a personal brightness and goodness that people were drawn to and loved. It is a life well spent to leave so many people touched or inspired by the simple things she did, or the difficult things she made look so simple. It was these things that set the foundation of hundreds of friendships; many lasting through the day she said goodbye.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jackson T. and Lona L. (Brixey) Cooper and brothers Jack and Doyle Cooper. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Mathew W. Saunders of Dallas, Texas; and their two children son Matthew W. Saunders Jr., spouse Sheri and grandchildren Summer and Kristen of Plano Texas, and Son Mark J. Saunders spouse Tina and grandchildren Erin and Grant of Plano Texas; sister Lou Fife of Scottsdale, AZ, brother Bill Cooper of Cave Junction, Oregon and her best friend of nearly 65 years Dona Kay Pierce of Mesa, AZ.

Shirley had a full, wonderful life. Her family and friends loved her immensely and she will be truly missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the ALS Association

There will be a private ceremony for Shirley’s family at a later time.