Shirley was raised in the Sunnyside area of Fresno and attended Easterby Elementary and Roosevelt High Schools. Starting at a young age, she spent summers at the family cabin near Shaver Lake along with packtrips in the High Sierras. She truly loved the beauty and nature of the mountains. She met her husband, Penn, at the Fresno State College Sierra Summer Camp at Huntington Lake.
Shirley was a voracious reader and generously volunteered her time at the Sunnyside library. She also loved to volunteer at places such as Gateway High School, and Fresno Zoological Society as a Docent. She was loved by all. Her life's philosophy was to treat everyone with respect and kindness. Never drawing attention to herself, Shirley always had a way of making each person feel special.
Later in life, Shirley was the matriarch of the family businesses (particularly T. G. Schmeiser Co., Inc. of Selma). She took great pride in guiding the businesses to flourish and prosper.
Shirley is survived by her son James Cummings; her son Matthew Cummings; and her son Andrew Cummings; her sister Suzanne Johnson; her grandchild Adam Cummings, her grandchild Cory Cummings and her grandchild Jacob Cummings. As well as many nieces and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Penn Cummings; her sister Mary Haungs; her grandchild Jessica Cummings.
A Celebration of Life Service for Shirley will be held Monday, June 26, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Boice Funeral Home, 308 Pollasky Avenue, Clovis, California 93612.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Shirley's memory may be made to Fresno County Public Library, P.O. Box 4523, Fresno, California 93744.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Cummings family.
