Shirley Dale Guider

Our sweet Mother, Gram, sister, friend and Matriarch of our beloved family is in Heaven!

Filled with cherished memories and missing her so are children Linda & Mark Grua, Barbara Borgersen (WC deceased), Carter & Suzi Guider and Laura & Dave Curtin; Grandchildren Seth & Rachel, Adam, Anna, Daniel, Davis, Ross and Ethan & loving sister Bunny Hathaway (Jack deceased). Preceding her in death was dear husband of 49 years Paul, parents Melba & Charles Dean, special friend & “steady” Jack Hale, along with many close relatives and treasured friends.

Mom showered her family with unconditional love. Her “doors were always open,” the sun was out and she forever ‘counted her blessings!’ Gram/Grammie was a very soft place to land. Her Grands adored her...she filled them with tons of fun, laughs, wisdom, stories, treats and memories for a lifetime. She was the perfect role model.

“To meet Shirley was to be befriended by her.” Her life was blessed beyond measure with countless dear friendships… a TRUE friend, nurturing, loyal and always keeping in touch. Many recount her smile as ‘lighting up the room!’

Shirley possessed an enormous gift of hospitality and delighted in having her porch filled with family, friends, laughter, refreshments and nibblers. She hosted and fed many, nurtured all, laughed with, dealt cards, decked the halls, “played in the kitchen,” at 428, the home she built with Paul 71 years ago & lived & loved in to the end.

She had a heart of gold and an artist’s eye & hand. She was a true beauty, inside and out. The ‘hostess with the mostest,’ a master of listening and conversation. An extraordinary bridge player (collector of many nickels), golfer (ace on WH #4), dancer, cook, hugger, “Twit” & “Wid”.

She donated generously to her community and gave unselfishly of her time and talents through her volunteer work with the Sparrow Hospital Guild, The Peoples Church and her beloved Ronald McDonald House-where she joined the first group of volunteers over 20 years ago. Receiving a B/A degree in social work from Brenau University (GA), she continued to support and take pride in her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. A lifelong learner - she was ‘up on everything,’ believed in a variety of causes and always voted!

Shirley embodied grace, strength, humility, dignity and giggles. She could do it all. “I wanted to be just like her.”

All of us, who are honored and blessed to know and love you, and be loved by you, are better because of you. Thank you Mom, Gram, Sister, friend and neighbor!! You kissed us goodbye with the Good Luck Sign and showed us how to live! You have left us with hearts full of love, smiles and memories!

TOOTLES!!!

A future celebration of her life will be planned. Online memories may be shared at www.grlansing.com.

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