Shirlee Jean Degnan

1935 - 2021

Early Sunday morning, January 31st 2021, a lovely fresh breeze left this earth and joined the angels in heaven. Our mom (sister, Grandma, Grams, Great-grandma, and cherished friend), Shirlee Jean Degnan, passed away peacefully at the age of 85, surrounded by her family. She joined John, the love of her life, and their sweet daughter Susan, who both preceded her into the next life. Shirlee leaves behind so many who will miss standing beside such talent, beauty, grace and friendship.

Shirlee was born to Gene and Nellie Schamehorn in Garden City, WA on March 30th, 1935. Shirlee, her younger brother Ron, and their parents had to relocate often to follow work opportunities like so many families during the Depression and war time. By the time Shirlee was in 8th grade, the family had moved 13 times. Of those many places she lived in her childhood, Shirlee would often recount stories of the little “yellow house” in McCleary, WA. A simple place, time and memory that she held so close to her heart throughout her life.

Shirlee and John Degnan met in Crescent City, CA on a blind double date arranged by her cousin Geri. From that day on, John and Shirlee were a couple spending memorable times in Crescent City and at their friend's, the Davis family, cabin in Gasquet. They married on Oct 30, 1954. Shirlee became a mother at 19 and by the time she was 30, she and John had seven children. They raised their seven children in the family home in Eureka, Ca.

Upon graduating from college, John became a high school English teacher while Shirlee skillfully managed their home and the seven rambunctious little ones. Stylish and fashionable, she sewed clothing for herself and her children. Endlessly creative and inventive, she found ways to make games, costumes, and fun out of whatever could be found. In their two-story house, her children remember her Shirlee’s singing voice throughout as she went about her daily activities, which is why they know lyrics to songs from well before their time.

In her late 40’s Shirlee enrolled in college, something she had dreamt of doing for years, and was awarded a BA in Journalism from Humboldt State University. She was the only graduate who was a grandmother! Once her children were all in school, Shirlee worked outside the home as the secretary for a trucking company and, being an excellent writer and journalist, later in a local PR firm. As busy as she was, Shirlee always volunteered in many school and church related activities for St. Bernard Elementary and High Schools, and St. Bernard Parish in Eureka, Christ the King Parish in McKinleyville and Holy Trinity Church in Trinidad. Shirlee also volunteered with the American Cancer Society working weekly for many years at the Discovery Shop in Eureka where she was a highly regarded employee and enthusiastic customer.

When all the kids were grown, Shirlee and John bought a small house and five acres on Fox Farm Road in Trinidad, CA, just north of Eureka, which they transformed to an incredible park-like setting. Shirlee’s natural skill as a gardener really blossomed there. This was the home that all the grandkids remember so fondly, playing amongst the redwoods and at the pond. Family and friends alike were always welcomed at Fox Farm and there was a well-worn path between the Degnan place and the home of their wonderful neighbors, Michael, Francis, Samish, Camille and Geena Damian.

John and Shirlee had always hosted holiday dinners at their home in Eureka and then Fox Farm. The Thanksgivings, especially at Fox Farm, were not to be missed with family and friends attending the joyful and loud events. The already long tables built by John were joined together to make an even longer one, since it was not uncommon for the dinners to accommodate 40+ people (usually all talking at once!) Shirlee was in charge of these dinners until her four daughters, two sons, and multiple sons/daughters-in-law finally relieved her of the big task when Shirlee was well into her 70s. Unfortunately, despite their best combined efforts, her otherwise competent offspring have never quite been able to replicate what Shirlee so adeptly accomplished for years and years (and years!)

While living in Trinidad, Shirlee was an exceptional instructional aide and substitute teacher for K-8 at Big Lagoon School, where she continued to work until the year she turned 80. Shirlee really loved her Big Lagoon School family: Kim Blanc, Marcia Brady, Patrick O’Malley, Shane Harmon, KC Allen and Edith Doe among others. She also enjoyed her friendship with Trinidad library’s Kenzie Mullen.

At this time Shirlee also took up the hobby of painting and John created a studio space for her in his shop. Many of Shirlee’s watercolors are hanging in her children’s homes and her grandkids all remember the adorable “hundred-acre wood” that she created with John in the forest at Fox Farm. It came complete with her life-sized, painted plywood versions of Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, Christopher Robin, Kanga, and baby Roo amongst the redwood trees. Eeyore even had his shaky little house of sticks. Definitely the stuff of treasured memories.

After raising their family in Eureka, CA and living many years together at Fox Farm, John passed away in 2003. Shirlee’s brother Ron was invaluable to her in the following years, helping her maintain Fox Farm as a gardening showpiece and Grand Central Station for the family. Ron’s work and good-humored companionship meant the world to Shirlee.

In 2015, Shirlee moved to the town of Friday Harbor on San Juan island in Washington state, joining three of her daughters: Carol Ford, Linda Degnan-Cobos, and Cathy Degnan. She lived together with daughter Carol, son-in-law Gregg, and her brother Ron. Shirlee spent many happy hours enjoying her family, tending her pretty flower garden, reading, keeping up on the news, watching Jeopardy (something she and John had always enjoyed), putting together jigsaw puzzles and hiking the many beautiful trails on San Juan Island. Just like at Fox Farm and Eureka before that, the family gravitated to where Shirlee was and large family get-togethers continued in Friday Harbor.

Shirlee also became a member of St. Francis Catholic Church when she moved to the island. There she met new friends and volunteered to help host coffee hours after Sunday morning mass. In her life, Shirlee’s faith carried her through many difficult and sad times but was also a source of great of joy to Shirlee and very much defined who she was.

In 2019 Shirlee moved into Village at the Harbour Assisted Living in Friday

Harbor where she came to know a wonderful group of neighbors and staff, and became part of their caring community.

Shirlee was preceded into the next life by her husband John Degnan Sr; their daughter Susan; her parents Gene and Nellie Schamehorn; her dear cousin Geri (Schamehorn) Moorhead; her cousin Greg Moorhead; and her Aunt and Uncle Rodney and Evelyn Schamehorn.

Shirlee leaves behind so many who will miss her: Her life-long friend and brother Ron (Friday Harbor), her children Carol (Gregg) Ford; Linda (Bill) Cobos; Cathy (Greg Sawyer) Degnan from Friday Harbor, WA; John (Diane) Degnan Jr. of Stoneham, MA; Paul (Michelle) Degnan of Redding, CA; and Rose (Mark) Donner of Seattle, WA. Her grandkids: Sam and Joe Ford; Will, Winslow and Miles Cobos; Brad, Troy and Jessica Degnan; Chris and Caroline Ross; Elaine, Renae and Tyler Degnan; Abigail, Mary and Gabe Donner. Her great-grandchildren: Mikalyn, Colton, and Taylor Lane; Brody Wicker and Raeni Ford. Her cousins: Steve, Laura, Travis and Tristan Moorhead.

Among the many friends Shirlee made and stayed close through the years are: Allan and Laurie Edwards, Marianne Major and Ken Gellat. Shirlee leaves behind her dear friend, Ev Legier. Ev was a joy to Shirlee; they were two of a kind together and spent many happy hours over many decades talking, laughing, and enjoying the ‘occasional” glass of champagne.

Shirlee and John Degnan were inspirations to their children. They provided a house full of love, fun and respect. A house that was a gathering place daily for friends and relatives alike. Having the honor of Shirlee and John Degnan as parents is summed up beautifully by singer Tom Waits…

“…Cause I have all of life’s treasures and they’re fine and they’re good

They remind me that houses are just made of wood

What makes a house grand, oh it ain’t the roof or the door

If there’s love in a house, it’s a palace for sure...”

Because of who Shirlee and John were and what they taught us, they will live on forever in the palaces of all their children and grandchildren.

A memorial for Shirlee is planned for a sunny day in the future when all will

celebrate Shirlee’s remarkable life safely and joyfully.