Shirley Deora Walthall Conte passed away peacefully on April 11, 2025, in Fresno, CA, at the age of 92.
Born on February 3, 1933 in Warsaw, MO, Shirley moved to California with her family at age 3 and was raised in Needles, CA. She married serviceman Victor Conte on September 2, 1950, and the couple made Fresno their home in 1952, where they raised 3 children: Victor Jr., Ron, and Cheri.
After dedicating herself to raising her children, Shirley worked various roles, including office manager and credit manager at WT Grant, and accountant at Central Cal Electronics until her retirement in 1996.
Shirley and Vic built a cherished cabin in Shaver Lake in 1971 and they moved there full-time in 1987 after Vic’s retirement. Shirley remained deeply active as a volunteer in the Shaver community after Vic's passing in 1998. She managed the local community center, served as bookkeeper for the Central Sierra Historical Society and Museum, and was president of the Dorabelle Mutual Water Company.
Shirley loved hosting gatherings of family and friends, crafting, and collecting owls and dolls. Her legacy lives on through the family traditions she nurtured and the lives she touched.
She is survived by her 3 children, Victor Conte Jr., Ron Conte, and Cheri Ginsberg; her 2 daughters-in-law, Amanda Tubbs Conte and Debbie Conte; 5 grandchildren, Kisha Conte, Alicia Stearman, Brittany Brown, Veronica Schuhmacher, and Jordan Ginsberg; and 12 great-grandchildren, Abigail, Joshua, Violet, Ella, Kayla, Justin, Alyssa Mae, Shelby, Zachariah, Samantha, Aurora, and Ezekiel.
Donations in Shirley’s memory can be made to the Central Sierra Historical Society and Museum, 42642 Tollhouse Road, Shaver Lake, CA 93664
A celebration of life for Shirley will be held Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720.
