Shirley M Newhard

Shirley Margaret Newhard passed away peacefully with her family by her side on November 3, 2021. A native Houstonian, Shirley was born on March 13, 1924, at home on Harrisburg Blvd. to Estella and Albert McNichols. After graduating from Austin High School in 1941, she attended St. Joseph’s School of Nursing. In 1942, she married U.S Army Captain Charles Newhard and they were blessed with one daughter, Patricia, who was the light of their lives. After following Charles to S. Carolina, Georgia and Arizona, she settled back in Houston and waited for him to return from WWII. Shirley was a parishioner of Queen of Peace Catholic Church and worked in credit services at Suniland Furniture Store for 34 years until she retired at the age of 65. The rest of her years were devoted to taking care of her family. ”Granny” was always available to help with a move, babysit a great-grandchild or help with whatever party or project her family had planned.

Shirley was a devoted fan of Houston baseball. As a teenager, in the 1930’s, she and her two best friends approached the President of the Houston Buffs asking to form a Girl’s Knothole gang. They were given seats behind the press box and allowed early admission to the games. She continued to follow and support Houston’s baseball team as they grew into the Astros. She hoped to see her beloved Astros win another World Series, but it was not meant to be.

Shirley is remembered by all as a truly loving and giving woman. She will be missed dearly by her daughter, Patricia Kolar, and her granddaughters, Shirley (Wayne) Hoyer, Julie (Miles) Voss, and Kimberly Kolar. She was a blessing to her great-grandchildren, David, Stephanie and Lindsey Hoyer, Katherine, Elizabeth, and Megan Kolar, and Evan, Alexis, and Margaret Voss. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, her son-in-law, Joseph Kolar, and her grandson, Stephen Kolar.

A Rosary will be recited at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church at 1 p.m. on Saturday the 13th of November with a Funeral mass following at 2 p.m. Graveside services will take place at Forest Park Lawndale. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CatholicCharities.org.