Shirley Ann Pleines

June 22, 1949 – April 15, 2025

Shirley Ann Pleines (née Sullivan), beloved wife, devoted mother and cherished grandma, passed away on April 15, 2025, at the age of 75. Born on June 22, 1949, in Fort Monroe, Virginia, Shirley was the treasured youngest child of the late Delbert John Sullivan and Anita Louise Sullivan, and the adored baby sister of her late brother, Delbert Vicente Sullivan.

Shirley’s life was a tapestry of love, laughter, and unwavering devotion to her family. As the daughter of a U.S. Army Master Sergeant, Shirley spent her childhood living across the globe—from Iran, where she learned to speak Farsi, to Texas and California—making memories that would shape her unique spirit. Though moving often made it hard to keep long-lasting friendships, Shirley always recalled a childhood filled with warmth and joy, lovingly spoiled by her family and especially adored by her parents.

Her childhood summers were often spent in Elko, Nevada, at her maternal grandparents’ ranch, where she became a spaghetti connoisseur—calling around to different houses each evening to decide where the best dinner was being served. This endearing habit became a family legend, much like her signature beehive hairstyle in high school, achieved to perfection by wrapping her long, beautiful hair in empty cans of juice.

Shirley met the love of her life, Fred Pleines, later in life through mutual friends. What began with voicemail led to a five-year courtship and a beautiful wedding on May 22, 1997, at the Sheraton in Rancho Cordova. Fred and Shirley’s love story was filled with Friday night date nights at North Ridge Country Club, yearly trips to their home at Pebble Creek in Goodyear, AZ, and frequent Sunday night family dinners at the Old Spaghetti Factory.

Shirley was a fiercely proud and loving mother to her children, Stephanie and Matthew Saylors. Shirley’s greatest joy came from her six grandchildren— Madison, Lucas, Aidan, Morgan, Kylie, and Austin, who brought endless laughter, comfort, and purpose to her life.

Though she worked outside the home at PacBell, JC Penney’s telemarketing department (she loved the coupons!), and later retired from Kaiser’s call center, Shirley’s most treasured job was being a mother. Her children were her everything. She never missed a chance to talk to them, especially Stephanie, who called her every morning on her way to work for their daily check-in.

Shirley’s unwavering dedication to her family shone when she welcomed her father into her home for the last three years of his life, ensuring he was cared for with love and dignity.

Shirley loved a good card game, especially when it involved eating shrimp with her brother and each counting tails for fairness (sometimes one or two may have snuck under a napkin) and drinking Gold Cadillacs with the family. She adored her Kindle, cowboy shows—especially Gunsmoke—and believed, with unwavering confidence, that watching enough old westerns made her an expert horseback rider. That theory was debunked on a family trip to Arizona, where her time on horseback lasted all of a few minutes—but the memory of Grandma on a horse lasted a lifetime.

Holidays were time for family, and Christmas Eve was Shirley’s favorite, not because of the gifts she received, but because she could finally give hers! Her homemade pork chops with mashed potatoes, applesauce, and “lumpy dick” gravy (a family staple) left no leftovers and included lots of laughter. She and her daughter Stephanie carried on the family tradition of making enchiladas together every December 23rd in preparation for Christmas Eve dinner.

A woman of quiet yet enduring faith, Shirley was raised Catholic and later became a Christian. Though she didn’t attend church regularly, her faith in God was strong and constant. She prayed nightly for her family and spoke openly about the peace she found in accepting Jesus Christ into her life.

Shirley loved deeply, laughed unexpectedly, and lived with intentional simplicity. She was caring, funny, loving, and had an unintentional dry sense of humor that brought her family joy. She believed “the faster you go, the smoother the ride”—a philosophy that, while questionable on horseback, embodied her approach to life: bold, unafraid, and always moving forward with faith.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Fred Pleines; her children, Stephanie Saylors (partner Meagan Transue) and Matthew Saylors (wife Kelly Saylors); and her six grandchildren: Madison, Lucas, Aidan, Morgan, Kylie, and Austin.

Shirley’s legacy is her family—her pride, her purpose, and her greatest accomplishment. Though she has left this earth, her love remains in every card game played, every inside joke about “Squinums,” and every warm memory she gifted to those lucky enough to know her.

A private memorial will be held with her close family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA, a cause close to Shirley and Fred’s hearts.

Shirley, your family loves you endlessly, and your stories, laughter and love will live on forever in our hearts.