Shirley Fry

Shirley (Whittaker) Fry of Longmont, died October 21 at Longmont United Hospital. She was 80.

Shirley was an Illinois farm girl, born on July 29, 1931 in Toulon, Illinois to Robert (Cox) Whittaker and Bernice (Newton) Whittaker.

Shirley graduated from Toulon High School and attended Illinois State University through the Art Department. She married her high school sweetheart, Howard (McCormick) Fry, from Wyoming, Illinois. They wed on February first, 60 years ago, in Oak Park, Illinois.

The Fry’s lived in the southern Michigan and Chicago area, before moving to College Corner, Ohio in 1956, to Manhattan Beach, California in 1966, and to Longmont, Colorado in 1972. She worked for both Amphenol and Sherwood Enterprises.

Shirley was an accomplished artist, lovingly known as a “Famous Artist” by her great grandchildren. She enjoyed her time in the yard tending to her flower pots, gardens, and helping Howie with his tomato plants. She was truly the matriarch of the family, being the center force for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a fantastic host, putting on the Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts.

Her only sister Aldean Corwin preceded her in death, just two weeks ago.

Surviving are her husband, Howard Fry, of Longmont; two daughters Sally (Mick) Craven of Bend, Oregon and Cindy (Duane) Bennett of Longmont; two sons Bob (Kaffee) Fry of Denver, and Howard (Linda) Fry of Olathe, Colorado; 8 grandchildren; Jennifer Dissell, Matt and Jeff Craven, Dusty Bennett, Sunny Fitzgerald, Meghan Siebert, Holly and Gail Fry. She is further survived by 9 great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 25, at the Howe Mortuary Chapel, with Reverend Rick King, officiating. Reception will follow at the Elks Club on Coffman Street in Longmont.

Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2255 S. Oneida

Denver, CO 80024.

Please share your thoughts, memories and condolences with the family at www.howemortuary.com.