Shirley Dubre Roberts Rau passed away on Wednesday August 25, 2021 at her home.
Shirley was born January 20, 1925 in Buckingham, PA to the late Howard Lacey Roberts and Mildred Scanlan Roberts. The fourth of five children she spent her childhood in Mt. Holly, NJ. During the depression her mother’s talent as a seamstress, known for her design and creative re-purposing of clothing, gave Shirley an interest in sewing and fashion. This experience gave Shirley a practical approach to all of her artistic
endeavors. Shirley graduated from Rancocas Valley High School and attended the Berte Fashion School in Philadelphia, PA.
In August 1947 Shirley married Bert Westervelt Rau in Mt Holly. When Bert’s career in textiles brought the family to High Point in 1958, she always found time to sew, paint, teach art, and travel. They often returned to Mt. Holly to keep in touch with both the Rau and Roberts extended families. Supporting a lifelong interest in the arts, she was a founding member of the High Point Fine Arts Guild.
Through Bert’s work in the furniture industry, they found a creative community of professional and personal friends. As an artist, Shirley may best be remembered for her contemporary canvases featured in showroom and photography sets beginning in the 60’s. Her work hangs in a number of corporate offices.
Her flair for interiors led to a career in showroom design, accepting a position with American Drew of North Wilkesboro in 1975. For the next 20 years, she loved the challenge of display, gaining the respect of her clients (and their sales teams) for her beautiful, inviting presentations that consistently enhanced furniture sales. Upon retirement, she and Bert spent 30 wonderful years traveling, pursuing their
artistic endeavors, and enjoying family.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years Bert W. Rau; her son John Frederick Rau; her sisters Jeanne Emmons and Barbara Turner; her brothers Howard Roberts and John Roberts.
Shirley is survived by her daughters Barbara Rau Skinner (Steve) and Joanne Rau Hoover (Richard); her daughter-in-law Joyce Rau; grandchildren Jonathon Rau(Charlotte), Erica Rau (Stacy Taylor), Matt Skinner, Stephanie Skinner, and Katie Skinner (Jonathan); great-grandchildren Luke Griffith, John Rau, Matthew Rau, and Michael Rau.
A gathering of remembrance will be held at a later date. The family will receive visitors on Friday, September 10, from 4 to 8pm at the home of Joanne Hoover.
Memorials may be made to Amedisys Hospice, 2975 Crouse Lane, Burlington NC 27215 or to the Salvation Army.
Online condolences for the family may be made at
www.sechrestdavisphillipsavenue.com
