Name: Westminster Memorial Park and Mortuary
Address: Westminster, CA

9/24/2025 Still celebrating mother's 94th birthday with Nur her nurse, and Yolanda her nursing assistant.  They showed her so much love and care.
We appreciated them being there for mother.

(Remembering my mother continued:)

During the last 7 months of her life she moved in with us, it was my turn to take care of her.  First she lived upstairs coming down every morning until September when she went on Hospice and we got a hospital bed downstairs.   One thing I noticed was when I’d bring my mother some food or a cup of coffee she would always say Thank You!   She really appreciated everything I prepared for her, even if I made her scrambled eggs with onions and salmon (she didn’t like onions) she’d still say Thank You and then just eat the eggs and leave the onions.  The one thing she would always finish was a hamburger with cheese on it, especially the 5oz ones I’d cook.

As she progressed thru the stages of hospice with nature taking its course on her mind and body, she always recognized and responded to me and I know I was close to her heart until she left this earth. 

I will always love my mother.

Shirley Anne Powell - Remembering my mother 

As her first born and only son, I always knew that I had a special place in her heart.  I remember her taking me to Preschool when I was 4 years old and picking me up with my finger paintings afterwards.  I remember prior to starting my freshman year in collage mother took me to CSULB for orientation and she taught me how to bowl in the Student Union’s bowling alley.   Mother had bowling trophies from her past.

Growing up mother was always impressed and encouraging in everything we did.  If I road my bicycle really fast up the driveway she’d say wow and cheer me on.   When I skinned my knee or sprained my ankle she’d bandage me up.  Protective but not like the helicopter mom’s we have today.  Senior year I got my own car, and once did a burnout with her in the passenger seat, she just laughed.

Mother was always glad to see me; she would always laugh at my jokes even if they were corny or off color.  I lived at home and appreciated the meals and mothers’ laundry service.   When I was 29 had a broken leg and mother stepped up and took care of me until I could go back to work.

As the decades passed my parents would visit us adult children and invite us over for holiday dinners.  Later when they got too old, we would visit them and have them at our houses for holiday celebrations.   During the 15 years I took over mowing the lawn for my father, would always visit both my parents as they ate their dessert on lawnmowing days.   Mother had a stroke about 15 years ago giving up driving, I would help driving her to hairdresser.   

At restaurants Dad would always complain that regardless of what restaurant they went to eat at (Steak, Seafood, etc.) Mom would always order a Hamburger.   So I got the idea of the whole family going out to a restaurant and all ordering hamburgers to celebrate her birthdays.   
(Continued)

Here she is on a ride with her grandson Christoper at Camp Snoopy. Mom was always up for adventure!

My mother still had a lot of energy for her grandchildren at age 73. Here is carrying her youngest grandchild Amanda.

My mother enjoyed spending time with her family. She came back to the Fair in 2005 when my sister was out here visiting with her boys and husband. They were in the car next to us due to capacity restrictions.

I do recall that my mother would come with us to the pumpkin patch in the Goldenwest College parking lot every year until they built a CVS on the lot. It was one of our yearly traditions that she enjoyed when the grandchildren were little:

To be honest I had forgotten my mother had come to the Orange County Fair with us. Amanda is 15 months and Christopher was Four years old.

One of the first school events my mother attended for Amanda. Grandparents Day at Child of Faith preschool. Over the years she  enjoyed other events for both Chris and Amanda at Oka and Newland Elementary, Talbert Intermediate and Huntington Beach high school such as Christmas performances, jog a thongs , special awards  presentations and graduation ceremonies.

My mom looks really good last April. At that time she was in better health than her husband who was sleeping when we came over Easter morning. Amanda and Chris wanted to do something very special grandparents . They died eggs for the Easter basket, decorated homemade cupcakes, made homemade chocolate covered strawberries and of course we brought over a box of Sees candy which was my mom’s favorite!

Her desire was to be buried in Detroit, have a rosary and funeral mass, unfortunately those plans did not materialize in the end. Although she did receive the anointing of the sick during her time in hospice. And we did pray together as I said the rosary for her.  God bless you Shirley as you have earned your wings in heaven.

Shirley was baptized a Catholic and was practicing her faith throughout her early life in Detroit, Michigan. Once she moved to California she no longer was an active member of the faith. Although, she did tell me how she baptized her children in their bathtub at home. Such was her act of faith and love for her children.

Family dinner at local Mexican restaurant in near Long Beach Marina on  August 21, 2016 to celebrate Linda and Gregory visiting from Connecticut. Pictured from left to right: Don, Christopher, Tony, Shirley, Amanda, Janice, Kathy, Linda, Gregory and Mark.

Family dinner at Buca di Beppo in Huntington Beach on celebrating Shirley’s 85th birthday on September 18, 2016. Pictured from left to right; Don, Janice, Amanda, Mark, Shirley, Kathy, Christopher, and Tony.

Shirley’s grandchildren from left to right Brandon and Gregory Peach and Christopher and Amanda Murguia.

Brandon and Gregory Peach at Gregory’s high school graduation on June 15, 2019 in Simsbury, CT. Shirley did not see her grandsons often but loved them with her whole heart.

It was a delightful afternoon spending time with family. Grand daughter Amanda, Shirley, daughter Janice and daughter in law Kathy had a wonderful day touring the mission grounds. One of the many events Shirley enjoyed with her family.

My sister and law made plans to take the train from Santa Ana down to San Juan Capistrano. My mom was up for the adventure and spending time with her family.

I was sad to hear of the passing of Janice Murguia’s mom, Shirley. I will keep Janice and the whole family in my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences.

1949 Shirley’s graduation photo in the yearbook from Immaculata High School in Detroit, Michigan. This was an all girls high school that was run by the sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

2022 Christmas dinner with Shirley, Don, Linda, Janice, Christopher and Amanda Murguia, with Misty too at  Mark and Kathy’s home in Westminster, CA (Tony and Kathy not pictured)

Shirley and Linda, on July 4, 2025 at Mark and Kathy’s home in Westminster., CA. Linda came from Tulsa, OK to visit and stay and care for her mom during the holiday week.

Shirley, Mark and Kathy, on October 25th, 2025 at Mark and Kathy’s home while Shirley lived with us for 7 months at the end of her life’s journey

Shirley Anne Shelata, University of Detroit, Sigma Delta (Science Professional Sorority) 1952

The Eternal Rest (Requiem Aeternam) 
This is the most famous and frequently used prayer, often said at funerals, gravesites, or when passing cemeteries. 

* "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."

Thank you to all who have spent time on this website to visit Shirley’s tribute page.  It means to world to us that you have kept her in your thoughts and prayers. 

Memories are what ties a family together throughout the generations ! Amen!

My mother always enjoyed celebrating her grandchildren’s special events with her husband. This was my son’s high school graduation from Huntington Beach high school.

My name Yolanda I was her bathing  aide during my time with her I got so close 
With her 💕  she was so sweet  I will miss her very much my deepest condolences to all her family  and thank you so very much Cathy  for the loving tender care you provided for her and me I will miss you all .R.I.P.Shirley Ann.

My mom and I always celebrated our birthdays together by going out to lunch. This photo is from our last birthday luncheon. I will miss her dearly. She was always kind and truly enjoyed spending time with her family.

I just recently met Shirley thru my friendship of mark and Kathy. She was delightful with a wonderful smile. She sure like sees candy and got joy with the candy. She will be missed

Shirley was an inspiration and guiding light for her family .  Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family while sailing to Catalina or making meals and desserts from their backyard fruit trees, including persimmon, fig, lemon, plum, guava, peach. Some of the family favorites were persimmon pudding with rum frosting, peach streusel, lemon meringue pie, sponge cake with lemon sauce, and Spanish lemon steak.   Shirley was known to host traditional  holiday meals for the family and friends for 30 plus years.  

As her daughter-in-law I witnessed  her undying love for her family, especially her son Mark whom she loved dearly as she was so happy to see him weekly to mow their lawn for over 15 years.  Shirley would offer him dessert and laugh at his corny jokes. He would take her to her biweekly hairdresser appointments and take her out to dinner often.  Her family loved her deeply and she will be remember and missed forever. God Bless you Shirley RIP 🙏💔

Shirley Anne Shelata Powell, 94, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 22, 2025, surround by her family.  Born in September in 1931, in Detroit, Michigan. Shirley was the third of seven children; Robert, Audrey, Shirley, Alice, Marilyn, Clifford and Sharon.  Shirley attended St. Brigid’s Catholic Church and school on Schoolcraft Street in Detroit, Michigan.  Shirley graduated in 1949 from Immaculata all-girl High School in Detroit, Michigan ran by the sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  

Her parents Andrew and Emily Shelata owned a grocery store.  She was the first in her family to attend college at the University of Detroit earning a BS degree in Chemistry in 1953.  Shirley was a member of the Sigma Delta Sorority which is a science professional sorority.  She worked in the lab and taught Chemistry in the nursing program at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. 

In early 1960 Shirley moved to Santa Monica, CA and met her future husband Donald Powell.  Shirley and Don married in December 1960, they purchased their home in Huntington Beach, CA in 1962.  They raised three children in HB, Mark, Janice, and Linda from 1962 thru 1965.  They also have a son-in-law, Tony Murguia and daughter-in-law. Kathy Ginther Powell.  Shirley had four grandchildren, Brandon and Gregory Peach and Christopher and Amanda Murguia.  

Shirley was described as a hard worker, kind, generous and loving mother and grandmother . She first worked at Bio Science Corp in Santa Monica.   Then at ICL Scientific /Hychor Biomedical Medical in Fountain Valley/ Garden Grove as Serology (blood serum) Production  Supervisor.  Once she retired in 1996, Shirley spent hours going to classes at the gym, doing crossword and sudoko puzzles and reading the daily newspapers, as well as, her favorite crime and romance novels.  Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family while sailing to Catalina or making desserts from their fruit trees You are deeply loved and missed forever God Bless

Photo taken on Shirley’s 94th birthday (9/18/2025) celebration in Westminster, CA at Mark and Kathy’s house

Mark and Shirley dancing at Mark and Kathy’s wedding reception on July 15, 1995 at the Reef Restaurant on Harbor Scenic Drive in Long Beach , CA

Shirley and Don before Mark and Kathy’s wedding on July 15, 1995 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Long Beach, CA

Don and Shirley’s wedding reception on December 17, 1960

Amanda, Janice and Shirley at the Disneyland hotel in Anaheim, CA on September 15, 2018 in celebration of Shirley and Janice’s birthdays with afternoon tea party!

Mom was a kind, smart lady.  She worked hard, liked to relax and was a homebody.  I will miss my mommy greatly.

OBITUARIO

Shirley Anne Powell

18 septiembre, 1931 – 22 diciembre, 2025

Westminster Memorial Park & Mortuary

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