Shirley Fay Burge, 93, was called home on May 9, 2021. Mom began her earthly journey on October 4, 1927. She was born on the kitchen table of her Aunt’s home in Yamhill, Oregon, to Guy Brighton and Geneva Brown. Mom is in the care of Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home & Cemetery - Birch Cove Columbarium.
Mom was preceded in death by her step-daughter, Gaye Nelle (Coy) Housley of Petal, MS, and step-Grandson, David Housley of Petal, MS. Mom is survived by six children - Prestonia “Toni” (Thomas, dec.) Brumbaugh of Cleveland, GA, Michael (Laura) of Greensboro, NC, Tari (Dennis, dec.) Foucher of Seattle, WA, Kristina “Tina” (Mac) Henke of Allyn, WA, Janis Burge of Seattle, WA, and Timothy (Michelle) of Seattle, WA; ten grandchildren - Joe (Melanie, dec.) Housley of Purvis, MS, Jenine (Jamie) Housewright of Petal, MS, Robin (Jeff) Martin of Cleveland, GA, Amy Brumbaugh (Johnathan Remington) of Port Orchard, WA, Dr. Alissa (Julie Treska) Burge of New York, NY, James Burge of Greensboro, NC, Jamie (Luis) Najera of Renton, WA, Jill Foucher of Renton, WA, Dante (Eri Tsurukawa) Burge of Seattle, WA, and Timoteo (Suzanne) Burge of Glen Cove, NY; ten Great-Grandchildren - Michael Housley of Purvis, MS, Tanner and Brody Housewright of Petal, MS, David (Rebecca Lynne) Martin of Cleveland, GA, Torie Brumbaugh of Port Orchard, WA, Amara (Noah) Kallos of Lynnwood, WA, Adriana Najera of Redmond, WA, Liliana Najera of Renton, WA, Natalia Najera of Renton, WA, and Grayson Foucher of Renton, WA; and two Great-Great-Grandchildren - Luna and Forest Kallos of Lynnwood, WA.
Mom accomplished much in her life. During her early years, she lived in a logging camp in Oregon. Her step-father, Dale Allen, owned the logging company. Mom helped her Mother, Geneva Brown Brighton, cook for the loggers. Mom started school two years early because her Aunt was the teacher, and thought it would keep Mom out of trouble. Mom would catch a ride to school on a full logging truck as it headed out of camp. If she was lucky, and timed things just right, she could catch a ride after school on an empty logging truck. The loggers would see her walking and stop to pick her up.
During her teenage years, Mom moved to Lincoln City, OR with her parents. Mom always told us how much she loved the beach on stormy days. Mom attended Taft High School (Class of 1944), home of the Taft Tigers, in Taft, Oregon. Mom was quite active in school activities during her high school years. She was in the Glee Club, Girls League, Hi-Life (school newspaper), Talisman (yearbook), and served as the Senior Class Treasurer, as well as Girls League Treasurer during her Senior year. Mom’s desire to be of service was a common theme throughout her life.
During high school, Mom had a few jobs. She sold tickets at the Bijou Theatre. She was also a manual pin setter at the local bowling alley. One of the most interesting jobs she had was babysitting for the family who owned the mortuary, and happened to live above it. Mom recalls one evening, as she was walking home from this job, seeing a submarine in the ocean. Mom would later explain, since they lived on the coast, they were always on blackout alert during WWII.
After graduation, Mom worked as a typist for the firm, Dun & Bradstreet, a business credit scoring company. Although she enjoyed working there, she said the chemicals used to make the copies did a number on her skin.
During World War II, Mom was a telephone switchboard operator in Portland, OR. Back then, when you made a phone call, an operator physically connected you to your party by plugging a cord into a switchboard. Mom recalled how the switchboard lit up like a Christmas tree during VE (Victory over Europe) and VJ (Victory over Japan) Day.
It was there in Portland, Mom and her girlfriends spotted some sailors on a street car. The ladies expressed their interest by throwing peanuts at them. Fast forward a couple years later, Mom married one of those sailors, Preston G. “PG” Burge, Jr. Their union was blessed with six kids. Mom and Dad were married for 32 years, before eventually divorcing. Mom was a stay-at-home-mom while we were growing up.
With six kids, Mom sewed our clothes (“I can make it cheaper”), as well as cloth diapers for all of her children. Of course, Mom made a few wedding dresses. When Tim and Michelle got married in 1983, Mom made Michelle's wedding dress.
In 1975, Mom decided it was high time she learned how to drive. Mom inherited her Mother's 1964 Buick Electra, and thought, why not. Her oldest son, Michael, and her best friend, Janet were the brave souls who taught Mom how to drive. Mom would eventually use the Buick Electra to take her driving test in 1975. Mom’s favorite radio station was KIXI. Many grandchildren spent their formative years swinging to the oldies! Mom had them singing along to the classics, such as the Andrew Sisters, Benny Goodman, and ol’ blue eyes, Frank Sinatra.
As the youngest of her six children became more independent, Mom began volunteering for various charities and organizations: Seattle Public Schools (Dearborn Park elementary, Sharples, Junior High, Mercer middle school, and Aki Koruse), Navy League, and Variety Club (AKA Variety, the Children's Charity). Mom shared fond memories of going to the airport in her Buick Century station wagon to pick up celebrities flying into Seattle to take part in the Variety Club’s annual telethon.
Mom’s absolute favorite place to visit was Hawaii, visiting there several times before she passed. One of her most memorable visits to Hawaii had a fascinating back story. When the Oprah show was still on the air, they had a segment for Mother’s Day. Her daughter-in-law, Michelle saw a preview for the upcoming Mother’s Day show where Oprah asked folks to tell her what you would do for their Mothers for Mother’s Day. Sadly, Michelle's Mother had passed by then. Undeterred, Michelle submitted a story to the Oprah show, explaining how much her Mother-in-Law meant to her, and how she wanted to send Mom to Hawaii. Michelle was contacted by a producer of the Oprah show, stating they were interested in her submission. They flew Mom and Michelle to Chicago, putting them up at the Omni Hotel. Michelle had to keep the real reason for the trip a secret. Mom was told she was going to be a guest audience member. As the show began, Oprah started calling members of the audience up to the stage. Then, all of the sudden Oprah says, “Where is Shirley Burge? Shirley Burge, come on down.” Needless to say, Mom was in shock. She walked down the stairs to the stage, and sat down in the chair. They showed our home video, telling Mom her family bought her a trip to Hawaii! If you ever asked Mom what she remembered the most about that whole trip, Mom would say, "I got to hug Oprah."
Never one to sit still, Mom and her girlfriend, Janet took commercial cake decorating classes at Renton Technical College. Mom would later go on to make cakes from her home, including wedding cakes. Mom came out of retirement to make Tim and Michelle’s wedding cake in 1983. Mom has made and sold hundreds of cakes. Growing up, our friends loved to hang out at our house because there was always cake to eat!
Mom was fortunate enough to spend her "retirement" years living in the house she and Dad bought in 1962 on Beacon Hill. In her 70's, Mom began working as an office administrator for South Seattle Community College’s New Holly campus ESL (English as a Second Language) department. This is where adult immigrants would come to learn English. Mom would assist both the teachers and students with whatever they needed. She was most proud to have done this work, making a difference in so many lives. The students and staff adored her. She would go on to work there for 10 years! Mom decided it was time to hang it up when she was approached about needing to learn to use a computer. Mom kept in touch with a few of the staff from SSCC. Mom cherished the many cards signed by the students and staff she received over the years.
In recent years, Mom stayed busy reading mystery novels on her Kindle, chatting with family on her Portal, and coloring in her adult coloring books. Mom would color for hours, sometimes forgetting to eat! Mom kicked it up a notch, switching from color pencils to glitter gel pens. Her color choices and ability to stay in the lines was quite impressive. Her drawings truly are a work of art. A copy of her beautiful artwork will be included in the memorial program.
Thank you, dear friends, for all the kind words of support and thoughtfulness during this difficult time. The family is grateful for your remembrances, as well as the friendship and love you shared with her. We love and appreciate you.
Wise words from our Mom … “Gettin’ old ain’t for sissies”
The Family of Shirley Fay Burge
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-Washelli.com for the Burge family.
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