Shirley Jean Leavitt

Shirley Jean Craig was born in Greenville, OH July 30, 1929 to Ethel May Oliver Craig and Ralph Harper Craig. She is survived by her sister, Patricia, her daughters Valerie and Tracey (their husbands, Mick and Ron respectively) and three granddaughters, Jennifer, Julia and Michelle.

Shirley’s parents owned a restaurant which the family worked. This instilled a good work ethic and a love for snacking on patties of butter. It must be genetic because each of the granddaughters also liked them.

When Shirley was 14, the family moved to Long Beach CA. She graduated from Long Beach High School where she enjoyed going to school dances on Friday afternoons. After graduating from high school, Shirley went to work at Market Distributors, Bill McKillop’s company, where she met her husband (an RCAF veteran), Owen Montayne Leavitt (Monty). They married in 1950.

Due to Monty’s employment, Shirley and Monty lived in several places. They spent their first year of married life living at Muscle Beach, CA and then moved to a little house with a terraced backyard in Santa Monica, CA where they had a boxer named Captain Mac (or Cappy). Night outs were spent at the drive-in with the kids in the back of the car. They had two children, Valerie Ann and Tracey Lauren.

In 1961, they moved to Pomona, CA. They made good friends and enjoyed exploring the surrounding countryside. She always had beautiful fuchsias to greet family and friends at the front walk.

In 1965, the family made the big move to Everett, WA. Monty began to travel more with his job and Shirley was responsible for keeping two girls on task and the house together. She enjoyed sewing beautiful clothes for herself and the girls, keeping the yard gorgeous and taking care of their dog, Georgie Girl, a wonderful Great Dane.

While in Everett, Shirley’s eldest brother and his wife passed away. Their son, Mike (then 13) came to live with Shirley and Monty. Favorite activities included going to the beach, fishing, making homemade rootbeer and ice cream, going to Whidbey Island, and trips to Hawaii and Canada.

In 1971, the family moved to Coeur d’Alene, ID and spent 10 years in that beautiful area. They were involved with the community, various organizations and made good, lifelong friends.

Shirley and Monty moved back to Everett in 1980, where Monty retired. They bought a house with a wonderful view of Mt. Baker and the Snohomish valley, that they were able to enjoy together for twenty years.

They initiated their post retirement adventures with a trip to London and Wales. That was one of their favorite trips and they returned there quite often. They loved cruises, and Shirley’s favorite stop was in the Greek Islands, Santorini. Friends and family often accompanied them on their adventures.

Shirley began volunteering at the Everett hospital and spent many hours working the front counter, training new volunteers, scheduling all volunteer work hours, staging the displays, and doing inventory.

In June, 2015 she was inducted emeritus into the Providence General Children’s Association for her 15,000 volunteer hours of service.

Valerie and Tracey were fortunate to have their mom close by as they took on motherhood. A grandmother’s tender love is a blessing.

After fifty years of marriage, Shirley lost Monty.

At 72, she learned how to drive and achieved an independence she hadn’t had before. She made the decision to downsize to a cute, little rambler in Everett, redecorating to make it her own.

In 2013, she moved to Gig Harbor to be closer to family. She loved the area and being within a couple miles of Tracey and her family. She never stopped marveling at the beauty around her.

Shirley maintained a very close relationship with her sister, Patty, even though living on different coasts for most of their lives. They talked on the phone frequently and had good long conversations. Staying in touch with Patty was very important to her and was a good support through the years.

Shirley will be greatly missed by her family and friends. We always knew we could count on her love and support. She will always be with us in our hearts.

Immortality”

Do not stand

By my grave, and weep.

I am not there,

I do not sleep –

I am the thousand winds that blow

I am the diamond glints in snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle, autumn rain.

As you awake with morning’s hush,

I am the swift, up-flinging rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight,

I am the day transcending night.

Do not stand

By my grave, and cry –

I am not there,

I did not die.

by Clare Harner, 1934