Shirley’s presence on this earth has made it difficult to imagine how the days can pass without her here with us. She began life as the final puzzle piece in her own family, born in Brighton, Colorado as the thirteenth and final child in her family, and would later become the most important piece at the heart of a loud, loving, and large family of her own.
Her marriage and devotion to her husband, Gilbert, gave her six children: Gilbert, Bob, Carol, Sharon, Chuck & Gary, whom she loved with her entire being. Those children would later expand her family beyond what she could have ever imagined, filling her life with more love than could be put into words.
Shirley loved puzzles of all kinds, with a special fondness for the ones on her iPhone. Facebook and YouTube became some of her favorite pastimes. Shirley was unique in her appreciation of American culture—from Westerns, John Wayne, Shirley Temple, Elvis, and penny machines to figure skating, Animal Planet, Garth Brooks, and Boyz II Men. It’s hard to get a McDonald’s unsweetened iced tea or pass a sports card collection at a garage sale without her crossing your mind.
Her later years were shaped by the family she created. Becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother was among her greatest joys in life, and she always looked forward to the time she would get to spend with each of them.
Her birthday parties became her favorite celebrations of the year, with questions, invitations, and planning becoming the topic of nearly every conversation in the month leading up to her special day. Having banana cake on the menu was always a must.
Shirley leaves behind a family who knows the definition of resilience because of her example. She leaves behind a space not another soul could ever fill.
We will think of her every time we feed a neighbors cat, order a plate of sushi, or see a Garth Brooks shirt, and she will remain a part of our lives through the stories we continue to tell about her for generations to come.
May we celebrate the life she lived, honor the memories she leaves behind, and know that the love she shared will stay in our hearts forever.
A Visitation will be held at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, 520 W Powell Blvd, Gresham, OR 97030, US, on October 9, 2026, from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm, followed by a Funeral Service at 12:00 pm.
Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery & Mausoleum, 400 SW Walters Dr, Gresham, OR 97080 at 2:00pm.
