Shirley W. Watkins Carlson

Shirley W. Carlson, 87, of East Lansing died October 17, 2010 in West Branch Regional Medical Center after a brief illness. She was born in Bath, NY on December 24, 1922 to George and Flossie Watkins. She graduated from Keuka College in 1945 with a degree in Biology. She worked as a research assistant at Cornell College where she met her future husband, Robert F. Carlson. They were married on June 25, 1949 and moved to the East Lansing/Okemos area where they remained and raised their family. Shirley became a librarian during her husband’s two year posting at the University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan. She continued her work as a librarian at the Hope Borbas Public Library in Okemos. Her family was of the utmost importance during her entire life. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, playing bridge, traveling and was an avid reader. For many years she was the Treasurer of the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association.

She is survived by her daughters, Becky (Douglas) Schmitt of Columbia, SC, Ellen (Gary) Klacking of West Branch, MI, Cynthia Carlson of San Jose, CA, Elise (Brian Slizewski) Carlson and family of Ann Arbor, MI; grandchildren Kelsey (Jesse) Klein and family of Long Lake, MI, Michael (Jennie) Klacking and family of West Branch, MI, Sven Schutz of San Jose, CA; brothers Carlysle (Emma Jean) Watkins of Brandon, FL, Charles (Joselyn) Watkins of Lake Lure, NC; many nieces and nephews with special thanks to nephew Robert Tuttle, Jr. of East Lansing. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, siblings Winifred, Virginia, Thelma, Winston, Sheldon, and Onnolee. Shirley lived the last 2 ½ years of her life at The Brook of West Branch. Many thanks are extended to the wonderful staff and caring residents who became her friends. Appreciation is given to the excellent nurses and staff who cared for her at the West Branch Regional Medical Center. Also, thanks to Home Instead in East Lansing for their kind care. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to Hospice of Helping Hands, 335 E. Houghton Ave, West Branch, MI 48661 or Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906. She will be deeply missed. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 20, 2010 from 2-4PM and 6-8 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI. The Funeral Service will be held Thursday, at 10:00 AM at the funeral home with interment to follow in Glendale Cemetery, Okemos, MI.