Shirley Mae Fay

At age 19 Shirley traveled by train to Florida from her parent’s Worland, WY home to marry Gerald (Jerry) Fay. The farther south the train traveled, the less nice the train cars became ending with wooden seats nailed to floor of the car. When Shirley arrived in Jacksonville, FL, she was greeted by total strangers who brought her to the naval base where Jerry was stationed. Soon after being reunited Shirley and Jerry took a bus loaded with other likeminded couples to Folkston, GA, to get married. The laws in Georgia were more lenient about marrying age and didn’t require a marriage license. Shirley and Jerry were married August 3, 1951, a marriage that lasted for 54+ years before Jerry’s death on December 28, 2005. Shirley and Jerry lived in several states before settling in Lakewood, CO in 1960.

With roots taking hold in Lakewood, she settled into raising her three children, making a fine home and supporting her husband. She will be remembered for the attention and love she bestowed on her children and even their friends. It was not unusual to find her at the dining room table sharing a conversation and a cup of coffee with her children’s high school or college friends. A few even moved in briefly.

She enjoyed working in her yard, reading books, family time and general ‘peace ‘n quiet’.

She is survived by her son David, his wife Jane from St. Louis, MO and their two children — Bryan and Adam (Erin); her son Mike, his wife Debbie from Denver, CO and their three children — Tristin (Caleb), Brittney (Sean) and Dustin (Jenna); and her daughter Susan from Lake Mary, FL and her two daughters, Jessica (Kenny) and Kaley (Gino); and by ten great grandchildren: Melayna, Landon, Emersyn, Liam, Vivian, Rowen, Falyn, Bodhi, Gavin and Karsyn.

The family would like to express their gratitude for all of Shirley’s neighbors who looked in on her, visited and assisted with chores. She appreciated you all.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to any worthy cause although a food pantry or other agency assisting with hunger relief is encouraged.

Shirley will cremated by Crown Hill Cemetery. The family will hold a celebration of life memorial in the spring.