Shirley Ann Duke

Shirley Ann Duke of Birmingham and St. Louis, Mo., died on Mar. 9 in St. Louis after complications from a stroke. With a love of adventure and a wit to match, Shirley faced life with strength, courage, and humor. She was proud of her many accomplishments and took great comfort in her faith. Friends remember her kindness and giving heart, zest for life, and passion for helping people. She was 80 years old.

Born in Birmingham on Dec. 23, 1941, to Herbert Lewis and the former Mary Pauline Moore, Shirley participated in Girl Scouts through elementary school and, upon graduating from Parker High school, traveled to Minneapolis to begin her adult life. She attended the College of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, Mn., graduating as a registered medical technician in 1960. Throughout the sixties and seventies, Shirley worked as a lab technician and line supervisor at the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills before returning to her vocation of helping people.

A life-learner, she completed coursework in respiratory therapy at the St. Paul Area Technical Vocational Institute, ultimately earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota in the mid-seventies. During her many years as a respiratory therapist, Shirley Ann Duke worked diligently, providing critical care to people suffering from acute breathing conditions and pulmonary disease. Early in her career as a full-time respiratory therapist, she also worked part-time as an in-home services aide for the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul. Shirley held numerous roles in respiratory therapy with increasing responsibility at St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Center. She relocated to Birmingham in 1984 and subsequently retired from Brookwood Medical Center after many years of service.

Shirley has been a member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Birmingham since childhood and sang in the choir both as a youngster and an adult. She loved to travel and sightsee. She counted trips to Manhattan, Las Vegas, and Montreal among her favorites. An active Parker High alumna, she derived immense joy attending school reunions and reconnecting with classmates over the years.

Her marriage to Maurice Duke ended in divorce. The couple had a daughter, Aurrice Duke-Rollings, who survives along with her husband, Michael Rollings of St. Louis, and their children Jessica Rollings Taylor and her husband Ben Taylor; Emily, Elisabeth, and Ben Rollings. She also leaves behind nieces Danièle Moore Lambert and her husband Guy Lambert of Montreal, Carmen Rice King and her husband Darryl King, a nephew John (Jay) Rice and his wife Shunate, all of Birmingham, along with many cousins.

A private service in Birmingham and burial at Elmwood Cemetery there will take place at a date to be announced. The family has suggested memorial donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).