We said goodbye to our dear Grandma Shirley late last week. She left this world just like she lived: peacefully and cheerfully. In her 97 years on earth, she lived a life full of love, faith and goodness. Although we will miss her dearly, we are happy she is free from pain and the limits of her earthly body, and reunited with many dear loved ones.
Shirley Alice Grover Fagergren was born May 18, 1924, in McCammon, Idaho, to Clarence Barton and Sarah Alda Grover. She dearly loved her parents and her two younger brothers, George and Morris. As a young girl, she enjoyed spending time at her grandparents’ farm. She had aunts and uncles close to her age. She loved being the oldest grandchild and recalled many happy times. Her family moved to Salt Lake City, where Barton developed and built a beautiful home on Gundersen Lane along with many other homes in that area. Shirley attended Granite High School, where she was smitten with a young cheerleader, Bill Fagergren. The two were married in September 1944 in the Salt Lake Temple while Bill was home on leave as a navy aviator.
Together, Shirley and Bill raised five children: Bill Jr., Paul, Jane, Mark and Amy, in the neighborhood of Holladay. Bill was a successful businessman due in no small part to Shirley’s stabilizing and tempering influence. Only she was able to kindly soften his rough edges. Shirley’s whole world was caring for her family and raising her children, and she did it very well. Every shirt was pressed, every floor was swept and every dinner was homemade. No taste on earth will ever top her leg of lamb, dinner rolls or pecan pie. No one could find a bargain and turn it into something beautiful better than Shirley. Classy to her very core, she had a talent for making simple things beautiful. Her home was always a place of warmth and comfort. But what mattered most to her was that her children were honest, faithful and kind. Her quiet example of those attributes will bless her family for generations.
Shirley had an abiding faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. She said her choicest blessing was her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her life included many chapters, many of them very hard, but her testimony of Jesus Christ gave her the strength she needed. Nothing made her prouder than when someone in her family chose to follow the Savior. Whether it was serving a mission or getting married in the temple, she delighted in the righteousness of others. She enjoyed strong connections with dear friends in the Valley View 2nd ward, Holladay 24th ward and Mt. Olympus 2nd ward. She made certain that all of her children knew of the strong importance of the gospel and church attendance.
Later in life, Shirley and Bill traveled the world over. Throughout their grand adventures, she held true to her Idaho roots, collecting friends all along the way. They also provided many opportunities for their family to travel and make memories together. But no matter where she was, Shirley shared her cheerful disposition and positive attitude. She frequently remarked, “What a beautiful day it is!” and “The sunshine’s on!” She will always be remembered for her unfailing optimism and happy attitude.
Shirley will be so very missed by her large posterity which includes her five children; Bill (Marilee), Paul (Sandra), Jane Mensel (Fred), Mark (Kathryn) and Amy Lund (Jamie) along with 22 grandchildren (and spouses) and 71 great-grandchildren. She loved them “more than tongue can tell!” and told them often. We can only hope we filled her life with as much love and goodness as she filled ours.
A celebration of Shirley’s life will take place this weekend (masks are encouraged). A viewing will be held Friday, January 14th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary. A viewing will be held Saturday January 15th, at 10:00 a.m. at the East Millcreek 1st ward (2702 E Evergreen Ave) with the funeral following at 11:00 a.m. To join virtually, please use the following Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/91749235744
We thank the staff at Spring Gardens, where Shirley spent her final four years. They took care of her with such love and kindness. Please hug your loved ones and spread some sunshine in honor of our dear Grandma Shirley.
