Patricia Trish Lynn Shirey

When Patricia Lynn Shirey walked into the room, those in her company felt energy, an enthusiastic spontaneity. This was just one example of who Trish was and how she impacted those around her. Trish was a clever and gregarious person who always sought out the finest attributes in other people. It was as if Trish wanted to share all of their experiences, revel in their lives and celebrate their discoveries. Trish was tireless and had boundless enthusiasm that would serve her well throughout her life.

She was the daughter of Elmer and Beulah Shirey. Trish was raised in Antioch, California. Always at the ready with a good joke, she grew up to be quite a humorous person. While some who knew Trish might describe her as an idealist, her friends and family understood well that Trish was always in pursuit of life’s endless possibilities and opportunities available to her.

Trish was raised with two siblings. She had two brothers, Frank and Jim Shirey. Trish was very accepting and supportive of her family. She was perceived as the central person in her family in terms of keeping communication open between the family members. Whenever discord or tension arose within the home, Trish was typically the member who brought about resolution and harmony. These traits served Trish well in her adult life and, along with her wit, outgoing personality, and understanding of others, drew the admiration of many who knew her.

During her high school years, Trish responded enthusiastically to any new project and was regularly in search of one adventure after another. She graduated from Arcata High School in 1968. Trish was a very good student, and generally did well in her courses. Trish absorbed as much as she could from all of her teachers and was consistently able to tackle conceptual and abstract problems, using her imagination to master her assignments. For Trish, school often became just an extension of playtime, thanks to her ability to turn just about anything into a game. Classmates considered Trish a good listener, knowing that when necessary, they could go to her to discuss just about anything.

With a talent for making acquaintances easily which in turn brought her an endless stream of friends, Trish was very sociable and could blend without effort into any social group. Assertive and outgoing, Trish was easy to know and demonstrated a deep concern for others. She always seemed aware of what was going on with people around her and throughout her life she made many, many friends. While growing up, some of her best friends were Kathy Wise and Teri Dixon.

Trish's skill at “building bridges” played an important role in her ability to make her new family happy. Trish was tenderhearted and sensitive, qualities that served her well in helping to nurture her family.

Trish was a natural and creative parent who was willing to provide her family with all sorts of new and interesting experiences. For Trish, parenting was a particularly enjoyable and pleasurable part of her life. Every activity, from chores to bedtime routines, became a game in the Shirey home. Trish's skill at understanding her children's feelings, her sensitivity to their needs, and her gift for gentle persuasion enabled her to find novel solutions to any problem or situation that might crop up. Trish was blessed with five children: Michael (deceased), Crystal, Roxanne, Jason and Justin. They were also blessed with six grandchildren, Richard, Nicholas, Bryce, Jason, Michael and Alex.

Trish was uplifted by new ideas and was excited by life’s possibilities, traits that made her an exceptional worker. Her primary occupation was Registered Nurse. She was employed for 20 years by the Regional Community Medical Centers. Trish was enterprising, inventive and working against deadlines seemed to energize her. Trish had the uncanny ability to identify a win/win solution to just about any problem, possibly because of her gift for insight. Trish's fellow workers saw her as a supporter and a mentor.

Because Trish loved to have a broad variety of activities in her life, she took advantage of the opportunity to pursue numerous hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were wood furniture crafting and painting. Trish had a knack for being able to multi-task in order to create time for all of her favorite pastimes. However, Trish's ever-present concern for others always took precedent.

Trish was a woman who was dedicated and devoted to her faith. She was a member Chestnut Avenue Baptist Church. During that time, she was proud of the baptism of her children. She was sympathetic and able to empathize with others and she used these qualities to the fullest while working tirelessly for her beliefs.

Trish's love of improvising in her daily life was a perfect fit for her enjoyment of traveling. Her favorite vacations were ones that were not planned. Traveling in a casual manor fit her personality well. Excited about seeing changing scenery and constantly looking for the enjoyment life could offer, Trish took her vacations seriously, well, as seriously as she possibly could. Favorite vacations included going to the ocean.

Trish was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Her family was rounded out by her breeding Lasa Apsos and Scottish Terriers.

Trish Shirey passed away on September 10, 2010 at Community Living Center, Dewitt Sub acute. Trish had a car accident resulting in severe brain injury. She is survived by her mother Beulah Fey Shirey; brothers Frank and Jim Shirey; children Crystal, Roxanne, Jason and Justin; grandchildren Richard, Bryce Nicholas, Jason, Michael and Alex. Services were held at Tinkler Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Fresno, California. Trish was laid to rest in Mountain View Cemetery in Fresno, California.

There was always a certain style and inventiveness to Trish. She was a dynamic, self-expressive person who was forever looking to celebrate the endless possibilities life had to offer. She had a knack for being clever, creative and witty, and for others, was a joy to be around. While she was often fiercely independent, it seemed as if many others looked to Trish Shirey for inspiration, leadership, wisdom and even courage. Trish was always more than willing to share life’s experiences with her loved ones.Patricia L. Shirey, 59, of Fresno, California passed away on Friday, September 10, 2010. Patricia was a Registered Nurse.