Shirlie Ann Gorman

Shirlie Gorman was a lifelong central Ohio resident, a devoted Christian, and longtime public servant. She died peacefully with her daughter at her side on April 22, 2025 following a long struggle with the effects of dementia.

Shirlie is survived by her daughter Dr. Phyllis Gorman (Dr. Diana Erchick); her grandson Keegan McCormick and nephew Jonathan Schaber (Maureen O'Neill). Extended family includes Christopher C. Erchick (Michelle Barczak), Sawyer, Kit and Jude; James J. Erchick (Beth Elaine), Reagan and Theodore.

She is predeceased by her husband William "Bill" Gorman; brother F. Thomas Schaber (Linda); mother Alice Margaret Kelley Schaber; father Franklin Schaber; Aunt Betty Zane Kelley Weber (Myrwood); Uncle Frank Kelley (Helen); first cousin Patricia Kelley Abbitt; and grandparents Adella and Thomas Kelley and Susan and Franklin Schaber.

Shirlie made friends - too numerous to mention by name - at every stage in her life journey. Two special gentlemen, Dale Beddow and David Lowe DVM, both now deceased, held very special places in Shirlie's heart. Dale and Shirlie had twelve short years together, he taught her golf and shared his large loving family. Following Dale's death, an old friend "Doc" Lowe became her beloved "travel connoisseur" for almost nineteen years.

Shirley Ann Schaber was born in Columbus, Ohio on September 7, 1934. The first child of Alice and Franklin Schaber, her baby brother Tommy came 10 years later. They grew up in their German Village home and she graduated with the South High School class of 1952. After graduation, she went to work at the Ohio State University. Shirlie was always a passionate supporter of the OSU football team and in later years was a big OSU Women's Basketball fan. A true Buckeye.

On October 12, 1953, Shirlie and Bill Gorman married and took up residence at Shirlie's very favorite place in the world - their 49 acre family farm - just outside of London, Ohio. A widow at age 29, this young mother moved with her daughter - Phyllis Ann - to Columbus for work and the opportunity to build a new life in the aftermath of Bill's illness and untimely death. Though her handsome farmer was gone, she would steward the care of the homestead over the next fifty years.

Shirlie was a 32 year Franklin County government employee, serving Republican Elected Officials, in both the Sheriff's Department (1963-1972) and the Prosecutor's Office (1972-1995), where she was a faithful and indispensable administrative assistant. Her "downtown" Courthouse and Hall of Justice work friends as well as her Kildare Square South neighbors became a cherished extended family.

Shirlie sharpened her work skills by attending Bliss College, a business school in Columbus. She was a Notary Public and once held a Deputy Registrar License, she was an active member and Program Chair for the American Business Women's Association (ABWA) Rose Capital Chapter; and was a longtime and an active member of the Red Hat Society (a social club for older women). She was deeply engaged in her church life both as a regular church attendee, doing Church committee work and participating in Women's Circle and Bible Study Groups. As an adult, she was a member of both the Christ the King congregation and in later years the Ascension Lutheran Church. She attended various women's religious retreats and there found great solace and opportunity for spiritual growth.

Throughout her life Shirlie loved to travel. First onboard her father's employer - the Pennsylvania Railroad's - passenger trains, traveling with her parents, then as a Mother on family vacations with the three generations that made up her household. Her later travels - both domestic and international - include many trips with her "lady friends" including regional camping adventures with her husband's cousin's (Art and Kenny) wives' Barbara and Rose Groves and globe trotting with Dottie Luptak. Norma Broome and Shirlie had a great adventure involving the QE II and a flight aboard the Concorde! Travel with her gentleman friends - Dale and later Dave - provided great joy in her post retirement years. Vacation was always a favorite activity and an excuse for mild indulgences.

But after all is said ... Shirlie Gorman was first and foremost ... a mom and a grandmother. Ever proud of her daughter's academic and work accomplishments, the true apple of her eye was her grandson Keegan Kelly McCormick. Shirlie beamed (and hollered her signature "woot, woot woot") at all three of Phyllis' graduations from OSU and she never tired of bragging that Keegan was both a Buckeye and a Mechanical Engineering graduate!

In her final years - as dementia stole her tightly held and fiercely independent lifestyle - the warm embrace of the Erchick extended family and eventually the community of residents and staff at Bickford of Worthington gave her a life full of meaning, laughter, affection and gracious care.

Deep thanks to all who have loved Shirlie Gorman and sincere condolences to all.

A visitation for Shirlie will be held Sunday, April 27, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N High Street, Worthington, OH 43085. A funeral service will occur Monday, April 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Schoedinger Worthington.