Shirley Ann Lundstrom

Shirley Ann Lundstrom passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Aultman’s Compassionate Care Center. She is remembered for her humility, kindness, intelligence, and grace by all who knew and loved her, especially her sister, daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Shirley was born in Canton, Ohio, to Homer E. and Frieda E. Dickes on August 27, 1934, their second child, joining older brother Jack. They welcomed younger sister Bonnie to the family ten years later.

Shirley excelled in school and won prizes in speech competitions, graduating at the top of her class at Jackson High School in 1952. She spent one year at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, before transferring to Ohio University in Athens, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and was a member of Chi Omega sorority. She worked briefly in the Berea Public Schools until her marriage in 1957 to her college sweetheart, Donald Lundstrom, who was her soul mate for sixty-two years until his passing in 2019.

Shirley was a devoted partner to Don, from the challenges and rewards of owning a small business, Frankham Brass and Bronze Company, through his retirement pursuits, especially his work as a sculptor. Together, they created a loving home for their three daughters, who were the center of their lives. Shirley nurtured and encouraged the girls in all of their interests, and provided a quiet yet strong foundation for the busy family. She was a domestic artist, whose seemingly effortless meals and inviting home decor were genuine expressions of her warmth and hospitality.

Shirley contributed her time and wisdom to the community outside of the home as well. She served in volunteer leadership positions with the Canton Symphony League, the Aultman Hospital Women’s Board, the Canton Garden Club, and Junior League of Canton. She shared her deep faith as a Sunday school teacher and in other capacities at Zion United Church of Christ, and supported the work of Young Life in the Canton area.

Survivors include sister Bonnie Lee Fraser; daughters Kristen Lee Forman (Anthony), Linda Sue Blanch (Thomas), and Amy Elizabeth Lane (Douglas); six grandchildren - Erik Forman, Katrina Forman (Daniel Gillespie), Emily Slopnick (Michael), Betsy Trump (Russell), Alyssa DeGeorge (Taylor McCormick), and Louis DeGeorge IV (Dana); and six great-grandchildren (Jack and Benjamin Slopnick, Walter and Karl Gillespie, and Ava and Kennedy DeGeorge).

Shirley’s family extends their heartfelt thanks to the caring staff of the Inn at Whitewood (where she resided for the past few years) and to the nurses, social worker, and chaplain of Aultman Hospice and Compassionate Care Center for their services and support.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 8, 2023, 11:30 a.m., at Zion United Church of Christ, North Canton, with visitation starting one hour prior. A lunch reception will follow the service at The Twisted Olive. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to Aultman Hospice or the Canton Symphony Orchestra.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.karlofh.com for the Lundstrom family.