Shirley Mc Namara

Fresno native Shirley Mc Namara passed away Saturday, October 23, 2010 after battling pancreatic cancer. Shirley was a secondary physical education teacher for Fresno area schools for 23 years. “Coach Mac” also coached various youth sport teams including City-County Girls’ Basketball All Star teams and led others to local and regional championships, including NYL Central High School softball and Edison High School basketball. She was one of the founders of the Fresno Lassie girls softball league. In recognition of her contribution, she was inducted into the ASA California Central Region Hall of Fame. Shirley attended Fresno City College, graduated from Fresno State in 1971, and received a teaching credential (life) in 1972. She added mathematics to her teaching assignments through continuing education. Besides teaching, Shirley worked part-time in mutual fund sales, Electrolux sales, and she established “The Pet Cab” business to help people’s pets get to grooming and medical care appointments.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Daniel and Mary McNamara; her sister Susan McNamara; and her stepmother Helen Weber. She is survived by her twin sister Barbara Mc Namara of Turlock, CA; her nephew Enik Stone; and grandnephew Logan Stone.

A memorial mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2240 North Cedar Avenue, Fresno, CA on Friday, November 5, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to support pancreatic research by visiting curePC.org or by mail to CurePC c/o The Lustgarten foundation, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714; or to support the work of Animal Rescue of Fresno by visiting arf-fresno.com or by mail to Animal Rescue of Fresno, 4545 East Dakota, Fresno, CA 93726