Shirley Marie Groman French

Shirley Marie Groman French, 95 years old, passed away on Thursday, December 23, 2021, in Fort Bend County, Texas. She was the daughter of Mary McAloon Groman and Henry George Groman.

She was born in New Britain, Connecticut, and grew up on Pleasant Street. As a young girl in a small New England town, she would walk or take the bus to Stanley Quarter Park to watch her father play golf or go to the swimming pond. She spent many Saturday afternoons at the movie theaters downtown and collected giveaway dishes and bowls. She graduated from New Britain High School in 1944. She was encouraged by her English teacher to apply for an appointment to the US Naval Cadet Nurse Corps at New Britain General Hospital. It was a "WWII job with a future." She loved both her hospital Ward uniform and her Street uniform. Shirley was very proud to wear them, especially the crisp nursing caps. Daily, she wore her hair braids piled on top of her head. She received her nursing degree, but she was not deployed as WWII had ended.

On a blind date, she was introduced to her husband, Charles George French. He was the radio operator aboard the submarine, USS Sea Owl, and stationed at the Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut. To influence her father in his favor, Charles would bring steaks and butter when he came to call, since rationing was ongoing. In June,1946, he was discharged from the Navy. They were married and moved to Detroit, Michigan. She practiced nursing at an obstetrics practice there.

It was a defining moment in her life when they moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1947. Charles' family was established there. Shirley thoroughly enjoyed her job at the Hotel New Orleans working as the secretary to the manager and seeing all the visiting celebrities of the day. She became enamored with the cuisine and the neighborhood of the French Quarter.

A move to Dallas, Texas, came in 1959 as Charles advanced in the insurance industry. Here, Shirley began her love of Dallas Cowboy football. In the mid-60's, the Cowboys were a struggling team, so adult tickets were $3.50, and kids were free. Shirley's fondest memories include loading up the station wagon with neighborhood kids and ham sandwiches to head to the Cotton Bowl for home games. And after the games, taking everyone to shake hands with the players. Especially exciting for her was meeting Roger Staubach at our church. Shirley was a huge fan.

In 1968, Shirley chose to return to school to earn her degree in Interior Design. After graduation, she joined the American Society of Interior Designers (A.S.I.D.) and remained a member for 50 years. Her design career began at Titche's in Northpark (now Dillard's). Within a year, she joined Gabbert's Design Studio and Fine Furniture. Shirley was the award-winning Design Studio Manager of 14 designers for 15 years.

In 1985, she and Charles transferred to Houston, Texas. Upon his retirement in 1989, together they opened Intercompany, an insurance agency dealing in health policies. Galveston Island was the next stop where the two of them started a builder/contractor business. They built their beach house, as well as other waterfront homes.

Back in Houston, they were very involved with Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church and the 55+ Senior Group. As travel agents, Shirley and Charles organized many trips and cruises for the benefit of the church.

Shirley was preceded in death by Charles, her husband of 70 years; by her granddaughter, Michelle French Wilson; by her parents; by her stepmother, Harriett Sanders Groman; by her sisters, Jewel Groman Collins and Doris Groman Balavender.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Mary French Wilson and husband, Michael; by her son, Richard Henry French and wife, Rebecca; by her granddaughter, Melissa Wilson Kania and husband, Thomas; by her granddaughter, Molly Rebecca French; by her great-grandsons, William and Matthew Kania; by her great-granddaughter, Natalie Kania; by her brother-in-law, Raymond J. Balavender; by her niece and Goddaughter, Esme Collins Little and family; by her nephews, Henry, Mark, Raymond, Jr., Paul and Alan Balavender and their families.

Our family would like to thank the Cinco Ranch Alzheimer's Special Care Center for wonderful, compassionate care for Shirley.