Shirley Astrid Pape

Shirley Astrid Pape, 94, died peacefully on March 18, 2015. Born in Melrose, Massachusetts, the daughter of Mary Phillips from Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Oscar Souther; from Norway. Shirley attended the Boston Museum School of Art and worked for a brief time for a greeting card company in Boston. During World War II she proudly served in the US Coast Guard, SPARS division for two years. For part of that time she was stationed in Ketchikan Alaska, doing graphic arts for posters and recruitment materials. She always said that her time in the SPARS was one of the most enjoyable experiences of her life and she often spoke of how greatly she admired the Coast Guard.

Married for 44 years to Frederick B. Pape, who predeceased her in 1993; together they were the proud parents of four children: Brad (Pam), Nancy, Bill (Elizabeth), and Cindy (Rey Bencomo) nine grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her 4 siblings and several close childhood friends. She was always supportive of her children and enjoyed close relationships with several of her grandchildren who lived in the area. She was very happy that within the past year she got to travel to Connecticut and Ashville, North Carolina to meet her two newest great granddaughters.

After losing her beloved husband Fred, Shirley lived independently for many years in her own mobile home in Park City Estates, Davie where she enjoyed participating in many activities and organizations, including the women's bowling team, Friends of the Library, art classes, swimming and traveling. And reading, oh how she loved to read! She read the newspaper daily and always had a book nearby, devouring 2-3 books per week, along with the ever-present chocolates she kept nearby.

Shirley and Fred had been active for many years in the Lions Club and she encouraged others to support the club's eye bank. Fred also inspired Shirley to become as fanatical about sports as he was; for years they had season tickets to the Miami Dolphin games, and she was an avid fan of the Marlins, the Heat and the Hurricanes.

For the past 2 years, Shirley lived with her daughter Cindy and her husband Rey who did a wonderful job of caretaking while they enjoyed the opportunity to become even closer friends with her. In her last few days, Shirley was surrounded by her children and many of her grandchildren and she announced to everyone on March 16 that she was "ready to go" and made the effort to share last words and private moments with many of the family members. At one point when she was asked if she wanted to go to sleep, she said "no, I have to write my obituary" (and she did provide a lot of the content outlined here).

We couldn't have asked for a better mother/grandmother; Shirley Pape was kind, smart, nurturing, witty, interesting, always a pleasure to be around and an inspiration to all of us. A true matriarch of her family, she is the glue that has kept us together. We love our angel and will truly miss her.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate her life on what would have been her 95th birthday, April 3, 4:30-6:30 pm at Fred Hunter's University Drive Home, 2401 S. University Drive, Davie, FL 33324.