Shirley M. Rockenbaugh

Shirley was born in Washington, DC on August 13, 1947. She was the first child of Gladys M. (Hundley) Rockenbaugh, of Clintonville, West Virginia, and Gerard Williams Rockenbaugh, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. She is survived by her husband, Edward Hanson, of Phoenix, Arizona.

Shirley grew up in the Friendship Heights section of Washington, DC. with her mother and two siblings. Her father died when she was just 11 years old. She attended Murch Elementary School, Alice Deal Jr. High School, and Woodrow Wilson High School. She was popular, smart and excelled at field hockey and soccer.

Shirley had many friends. In elementary school her best friend was Lucy Johnson, the youngest daughter of Lyndon B. Johnson, who at the time was Speaker of the House. Shirley and Lucy attended All Saints Episcopal Church at Chevy Chase Circle. Speaker Johnson and Lady Bird were very fond of Shirley and allowed Lucy to spend a lot of time with Shirley and her family. It was not unusual to see Shirley and Lucy playing Elvis records in Shirley’s bedroom after church on Sunday.

As a child, she spent summers on her grandparent’s farm in Clintonville, West Virginia. During those stays she developed a love of plants, flowers and the art of bird watching. She picked and sold wild huckleberries to earn money to spend at the West Virginia State Fair.

After high school, Shirley attended High Point College where she received a degree in Elementary Education. After graduating, she was a reservationist at the Watergate Hotel during the famous events of the Nixon era.

Next, she commenced her tenure in public service as an analyst for the Federal Trade Commission. Fifteen years later she moved to the Commerce Department where she completed her career as a Senior Compliance Officer in 2004--receiving several awards and commendations.

She took advantage of living in downtown DC where she enjoyed live shows at the Kennedy Center, the National Theater and the historic Ford’s Theater. She played lots of tennis and “worshipped the sun” on the Eastern shores of Delaware and Maryland.

Shirley met her future husband Ed on an airplane. They married in 2006 and lived for a time in Little Rock, Arkansas. When he retired, they moved to Phoenix since she had dreamed of living there after vacationing in Arizona years before. They both loved birdwatching, hiking and the warm winter climate. They also enjoyed their second home in Venice, Florida, near Shirley’s mother, Gladys. Shirley was very close to her mom and until Gladys’ death last year, they talked every Sunday on the phone--reminiscing and discussing politics and world news.

Shirley is also survived by a sister, Stephanie Jeanne Rockenbaugh of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and a brother, Frederick C. Rockenbaugh and his wife Jody, of Williamsport, Maryland.

Shirley invested heavily in the lives of her three nephews, Fred, Will and Jeff Rockenbaugh—never missing family gatherings for birthdays and holidays.

She will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, her generosity to those less fortunate and her many talents. She will be greatly missed. May she rest in peace.

Her family and friends extend thanks to the teams at Dignity Regional Medical Center, Serenity Assisted Living at Lakewood, and Hospice of the Valley for making her final weeks the best possible.

A memorial event may be held later in the Washington DC area.

Memorial Contributions may be made to an environmental or wildlife cause of the donor’s choosing.