May 3, 1928 - December 12, 2018
Shirley Ann Curran was born to "Nellie" (Edna Nelleta DeLong) and Hugh Curran of Bakersfield, California, and passed away early in the morning in Montecito, California.
As a high-school student, she was a song leader, President of her senior class, and also enjoyed figure skating. After high school, she attended Bakersfield College and then art school in Los Angeles.
In her early 20's she met husband John Giumarra, co-founder of Giumarra Vineyards. They raised 7 children, was a meticulous homemaker, and a fabulous cook!
Shirley volunteered in her community, including service with the Assistance League and the local Grand Jury. As a representative of the City of Bakersfield, she visited its Sister City in Japan. She learned to fly and received her pilot's license at 50 years old, and became a member of 99's Flying Club.
She was at home in the mountains, having spent many summers with her family at their cabin on Breckenridge Mountain, just outside of Bakersfield. Her love of the mountains inspired her to climb Mt. Whitney twice and succeeded in reaching the summit on her second attempt. She enjoyed traveling, and traveled to many places in the world.
She shared the quiet, soft-spoken demeanor of her father ever since childhood, though her life showed that she als\o had incredible inner strength behind her endearing and lovely smile. Shirley was a simple, graceful, caring and committed person whose sense of etiquette meant she was never the one to make waves while her understated elegance meant she rarely failed to leave a favorable impression.
Other hobbies included, sewing, crocheting and knitting, reading and watching old movies, especially detective stories. She also enjoyed jogging and tennis, and won many tennis tournaments. She practiced her faith quietly as well, and enjoyed reading the devotional booklet the Daily Word.
Shirley was the granddaughter of Bakersfield pioneer James Curran, grew up in house that is now on the Historic Building Registry and was proud to be a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. During her over 60 years of residence in Bakersfield, she proved a gracious hostess for many family and community events. She was well-loved within her local community and her children were told many times, "your mother is the nicest lady".
With her seven children grown and, with the passing of her husband John of 35 years, one chapter of her life closed, but just years later a new and unexpected happy chapter began when, at 60, she married her childhood sweetheart, Ted Johnson (from whom she had been separated by his military service during WWII). Ted, an internationally famous powder skier by this time, and founder of Snowbird Ski Resort, taught her to ski on some very high mountains and the two often flew together in their private airplane to multiple destinations across the U.S.!
She was proceeded in death by her parents; Nellie and Hugh Curran, husbands George Theodore "Ted" Johnson and John George Giumarra, Sr., daughter Jane Curran (Chapin) Wade, son Lynn Stevan "Steve" Giumarra, son-in-law Nicholas "Nick" Scanlan, and daughter-in-law Lucille "Janet" Giumarra.
Shirley is survived by her older sister Betty Jean Poulter; her children and their spouses; Linda Ramirez, Nancy Scanlan, Giovanna and Omar Mueller, Gary Giumarra, and stepchildren and their spouses; John and Pamela Giumarra, Peter and Elisa Johnson, and Kylie Johnson; and numerous grand and great grand-children, and nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at the Hillcrest Memorial Park chapel, 9101 Kern Canyon Rd., Bakersfield, Saturday, December 22 at 2 pm with reception following at The Woman's Club of Bakersfield, 2030 18th St.
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