Shirley Louise Michaels

She was born in Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, on December 8, 1935 to Lauro and Angeline (Joseph) DiMichaelangelo. Shirley married Joseph Michael Pompili, Sr., on November 12, 1955 in Youngstown, Ohio, and graduated from Youngstown State University in 1969 and Kent State University in 1971, majoring in English

Shirley was adventurous and passionate about life, learning, and family. She began her career working in the family restaurant, El Rancho, in Youngstown. As an educator, Shirley began teaching junior high school English and journalism; a gymnastics coach and yearbook advisor. As an entrepreneur, she owned a print shop, word processing services, and facilitator of numerous women’s workshops and retreats. She was a published cookbook author. Her desire for learning continued throughout her life, participating in classes ranging from writing to dancing (contra, line, clogging, and tap), weaving, basketmaking, bookmaking, and music. She loved being a member of her jazz and ensemble bands. Shirley also loved traveling (Spain, England, France, South Korea, and throughout the US), sewing, knitting, crocheting, macrame, cooking, weaving, drawing, painting, skydiving, theatre, and entertaining.

She was a founding member of the Sun Lakes Instrumental Ensemble and the Angels of Greeley; and a member of the Gilbert Community College Jazz and concert bands, New Horizons band, Prescott College concert and Jazz bands, Prescott cloggers, to name a few.

Shirley was proceeded in death by her parents, Lauro and Angeline DiMichaelangelo; brother John (Clara) Michelangelo, her daughter, Michele (Jim) Agee; and son-in-law, Michael (Mona Pompili) Martin. Surviving are her children, Mona Pompili, Anthony Pompili, and Joseph (Dora) Pompili Jr.; grandchildren Merce (Humberto Hernandez) Gonzales; Matt Gonzales; Chelsea (Matt) Merrill; and Mitch Agee; great grandchildren Lucy Merrill and Sophia Merrill; brother Dante (Pat) DeAngelo; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of a her well-lived Life will take place on Friday, May 9, 4:30 at her home in Sun Lakes. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Sun Lakes Instrumental Ensemble, c/o Gene Cline, 9850 E Cedar Waxwing Dr, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.

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