Shirley Sudak

Shirley Ann Sudak passed away surrounded by the love of her family, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, strength, and unwavering devotion to those she cherished.

Born on November 30, 1927, in Wyandotte, Michigan, Shirley was the beloved daughter of Joseph and Bella Navarre. She graduated from Saint Patrick's High School in 1945 and, shortly thereafter she married her childhood sweetheart, Walter Sudak. Together they built a life rooted in faith, love, and family, raising ten children in Southgate, Michigan.

Shirley dedicated her life to caring for others. She began her nursing career at Seaway Hospital in Michigan. After Walter's medical retirement, the family relocated to Loma Linda, California, where Shirley continued her calling as a Licensed Vocational Nurse at Loma Linda University Hospital. Later, she became a hospice nurse for Kaiser Hospital, providing comfort and dignity to countless patients and their families during life's most difficult moments.

While caring for others, Shirley faced her own health challenges with remarkable courage. She was diagnosed with breast cancer while her husband battled lung cancer. She retired at the age of 66, but her commitment to helping others did not end there. Following Walter's passing, Shirley returned to hospice care with Visiting Nurses, continuing to serve her community until the age of 86.

Above all else, Shirley's greatest joy was her family. She cherished each child, grandchild, great-grandchild, and great-great-grandchild, encouraging them to live with kindness, integrity, and joy. She was a selfless, wise, and loving woman whose life was defined by generosity, compassion, and devotion to her loved ones.

Shirley was blessed with a large and loving family, including 21 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and 35 great-great-grandchildren. Her memory will continue to inspire all who knew her to lead with love, give freely, and treasure every moment spent with family.

Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Walter Sudak; her children, Walter Sudak, Carol Lynn Kozikowski, Robert Alan Sudak, James Joseph Sudak, Joanne Calderon, John Thomas Sudak, and William Anthony Sudak; her granddaughter, Cecile Calderon; her grandson, Victor Sudak; and her great-grandson, Jason Wells.

She is survived by her loving children, Mary Ann Peterson of Calimesa, California; Shirley Ann Hamett of Yucaipa, California; and David Anthony Sudak of Columbia, South Carolina, along with her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, extended family members, and friends whose lives were forever touched by her love.

Shirley's life was a testament to faith, resilience, service, and family. Though she will be deeply missed, her love and example will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.