Shirley Brake

Ms. Shirley Joan Hardesty Brake, age 80, left her human form on December 28, 2010 to reside with us in spirit forever. Shirley was the loving Mother of nine and her children and their spouses Robert Brake, Jr., Ron and Pam Brake, Sharon Milanos and Ben Hillicoss, Rick and Jill Brake, Jim and Kathy Brake, Michael and Sheryl Brake, Patricia Young Brown and Greg Brown, Sandra and Shannon Baughman and Christopher and Susan Brake will miss her greatly. Shirley was born in Akron, Ohio on April 27, 1930 to Merlin James and Anna Laura Hardesty. In addition to her nine children and their spouses, Shirley leaves 19 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and her siblings Martin, James and Sandra Hardesty to share in her memory.

Shirley was raised in Akron, Ohio, attended grade school at Enunciation parochial school and graduated from Our Lady of the Elms high school having received a four-year academic scholarship. Shirley married Robert Paul Brake, Sr. on April 24, 1949 and began her most important journey—raising her family. Shirley and Robert moved their family to Colorado in the mid-70’s where many of her children have stayed to this day.

After 32 years of marriage, Shirley and Robert amicably parted ways. Though no longer married, Shirley and Robert remained friends for life, sharing in all family events. Robert preceded Shirley in death on April 8, 1991.

At the age of 54, Shirley received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Colorado State University (formerly, the University of Southern Colorado). After graduating, Shirley worked for Child Protective Services as a social worker helping children escape abusive or neglectful homes and then worked with the elderly assisting them in their time of need.

Shirley’s small physical stature and her loving and kind treatment of others sometimes belied the emotional and mental strength of her core. Throughout her life, Shirley directed time and energy to righting those things she believed wrong. She participated in efforts to end the wars in Vietnam and Iraq. She strongly believed that we are all here to experience and share in God’s love and to make the world a better place. Her particular love of, and focus on, children led to her career as a social worker and, after retirement, to her volunteer work for private adoption agencies.

Shirley loved to read endlessly, to hold meaningful conversations on world issues and politics, and always, always to continue to learn. She was particularly grateful for the friendships and life she lived at Magnolia Manor in Richmond Hill, Georgia, enjoying the warmth and love of that community and the special time she was able to share with her youngest daughter Sandra, Sandra’s husband Shannon, and her grandson Connor who live close by. In the last year of her life, Shirley took up writing, which brought her an abundant sense of accomplishment and joy by engaging her creative abilities. Shirley was an incredible role model for her children, particularly for her daughters, as she grew as a person and matured as a woman through the many societal changes that have taken place in America during her lifetime. She will be missed by all and will forever inhabit that special place in our hearts that only a Mother can create.

Shirley requested to be cremated and her ashes will be interred next to Robert Paul Brake, Sr. at Imperial Memorial Gardens in Pueblo, Colorado. A memorial service honoring her life was held at Magnolia Manor on December 30, 2010 and a memorial service celebrating Shirley’s life will be held at Imperial Memorial Gardens, 5450 Highway 78 West, Pueblo, Colorado 81005 on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Defense Fund at www.childrensdefense.org/support-our-work/ or the Miracle Distribution Center at www.miraclecenter.org.