Shirley Rae Osborne

Shirley Rae Osborne was born to Charles and Ora Hatch on September 27, 1938. She grew up in Hillsdale, MI with her siblings on a farm that their parents shared with their grandparents. Shirley’s love for horses was born and nurtured on the farm, and she flourished in the 4H Club. Shirley rode Western Style in many holiday parades. She was a second “Mom” to her twin sister and brother Kay and Ray, who were born when Shirley was 12 years old. They called her “LayLay” when they were little and later it was an endearment they used throughout her life.

Shirley graduated from Hillsdale High School in Hillsdale, MI in 1956 and then attended Western Michigan University for 1 year. She was a Payroll Specialist throughout most of her working life, a highly valued and long term employee in Elkhart, IN. She attended the Christian Science Church as a child in Bronson, MI and later in life, attended LifePoint Church in Plano, TX. She was part of the Gardening club, favoring pansies and flowers in her garden and as part of her home décor. Shirley also enjoyed attending the Dutch Tulip Festival in Holland, MI.

Going to the beach, watching the Michigan Wolverine college football games and Dallas Cowboys football games, and painting oil portraits of horses were among Shirley’s favorite things to do. She loved dancing her whole life, especially dancing to Eydie Gorme’s “Bossa Nova.” She even met her husband at a dance event. Shirley loved music, especially Elvis Presley’s rock n’ roll. She played the French Horn in high school orchestra and shared her love of club jazz and big band music with her dad, a talented club musician and vocalist. She was star-struck by James Dean and enjoyed the movie “Pearl Harbor” with Ben Affleck.

Shirley was well loved, honest, sincere, cute, and beautiful both inside and out. She was devoted to her sons, Bob and David, and to all her siblings. They loved her for her selfless, sacrificing, strong willed and stubborn, yet delightfully gullible personality. Her sons and brother endearingly used to tease her about her gullibility and when flustered, she would often confuse the names of her siblings and sons, calling out “Ray, Kay, Bobby, David” knowing one of those names would apply to the one she was speaking to.

Shirley’s nephew, Richard Hatch, recalls family gatherings fondly and was kind enough to share this memory:

“After a good hug with each of us Nephews and Nieces, we all knew the order of the day. Out of seemingly nowhere, Shirley would produce her trusty camera with which she seemed to chronicle every moment, big or small. Oh, we’d roll our eyes the moment we saw it, and we’d line up dutifully, all the while muttering ‘Well that didn’t take long.’ First, we’d have a laugh because she tried to snap the first few pictures while the camera was “off”. Once she got it turned on, she’d take her time over our good – natured jeers to find the shutter button. This took many tries. ‘You sure it’s on, Shirley?’ we’d ask and all laugh. She laughed too. She had to have her picture, by golly. And we were not gonna let her get away with it easily. Shirley loved the pictures, and truth be told, we loved being in them. She took our teasing with a smile, as she took everything in life. After a handful of attempts, she’d finally be happy with the result. Often times, we’d hug again after. And she’d smile deeply, knowing she had her pictures.”

Her brother, Ray Hatch, remembers growing up with Shirley at the farm:

“Big sister Shirley was like a second mom to my twin sister Kay and me, but I always looked out for her, too, evidently since I was a little boy. Shirley had gone out with a guy who was quite enamored with her. She didn’t enjoy herself much, but was too nice to tell him that. I was 4 at the time, and I answered the door when Shirley’s suitor stopped by for a visit. Our mom overheard me tell the poor guy, ‘She’s not here, but she doesn’t like you anyway.’ And, that was that.”

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Ray Hatch and Ora Ettola Hatch, and her sister Patricia Ann Hatch.

She is survived by her sons, David B. Osborne Jr. of Frisco, TX and Robert “Bob” R. Osborne of Frisco, TX; grandchildren, Nicole Osborne , Rachael Osborne (Patino), Justin Osborne and Rayna Osborne; great-grandchildren, Everly Marie Patino and Avery Claire Patino; sister, Kay Priebe and her husband Kevin Priebe of Lakewood, CO; brother, Ray C. Hatch and his significant other Colleen Chalcraft of Nassau Bay, TX; and friends, Susie of Phoenix, AZ and Mary Mobisa and her husband Joe Mobisa of Frisco, TX.

Shirley was loved while she was here with us and will continue to be loved through all time an eternity.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Muscular Dystrophy Association at www.mda.org