Shirley Phyllis Clary

Shirley was born on June 24, 1936, in London, England to Frederick Adams and Edith (Jenkins) Adams. She and her older sister, Jac, were raised by their loving mother after the sudden passing of their father at age 32. Like most English children of that period, Shirley spent part of her early childhood in foster homes away in the countryside to escape German aerial bombings during ‘the Blitz’ of WW2. Shirley and Jac were reunited with their mother just before the war’s end and spent the remainder of their adolescent years together as a family in London.

At the age of 17, Shirley met the love of her life, Harrison S. Clary Jr, while he was stationed in Great Britain as an enlisted member of the US Air Force. Enamored by young Shirley, Harry proposed after only a few short weeks of courting and the two made plans to build a life together. Shirley boarded the ‘Queen Mary’ and sailed to America, and she and Harry were wed on November 29, 1953.

Harry’s Air Force career made Lake Charles, Louisiana their first home together. It was here they started their family, beginning with the birth of their first daughter, Debra Ellen. Following the conclusion of Harry’s military service, they moved out west to be nearer to relatives and eventually settled in Grand Junction, CO. They continued to grow their family with 3 more beloved children - Forest Dean, Jacqueline Alice, and Todd Adam.

Shirley made a living as a hospital clerk at St. Mary’s Hospital and made several lifelong friends there. She was talented at sewing and knitting, amassed a wonderful butterfly collection, and shared her home and heart with many four-legged friends. She took classes and became a Naturalized US Citizen, but always remained a true British girl at heart. She loved Engelbert Humperdinck, Cadbury chocolate, and a good cup of tea. Her greatest joy in life by far, however, was being a devoted wife and a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She and Harry were blessed to spend 67 faithful years together before his passing in 2021. Fortunately, after the very difficult loss of her soul mate, her daughter Jacque returned home to keep her company and provide care for her in her final years. She was deeply grateful to be able to remain in the comfort of her home until the very end.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband Harrison Clary, her eldest son Forest Clary, her eldest daughter Debi Pietrafeso, her sister Jacqueline “Jac” Adams, and her nephew Tony Adams. She is survived by her daughter Jacque Clary, son Todd Clary (Katie), daughter-in-law Barbara Clary, grandsons Forest and Michael Clary, Dominick Gomez (Callie), and Adam Clary (Courtney), granddaughter Maggie Clary (Peter), and 4 great-grandchildren. Chloe, Rayden, Brantley & Kynzlee.

We would like to thank the nursing staff at Hope West Hospice for providing excellent care for her in her final hours. Our family is at peace knowing that she has been relieved of her earthly pain and burdens, and we take comfort in knowing that she was welcomed to her eternity in heaven by the arms of those she has missed dearly.

At Shirley’s request, no services will be held.

“The shadow of your smile when you are gone,

Will color all my dreams and light the dawn

Look into my eyes my love and see

All the lovely things you are to me.”