Shirley Maxine Dever

Shirley M. Dever passed away on March 7, 2014 at Coventry House assisted living facility in Othello, Washington. Shirley was the youngest of four children born to Cecil and Zephie (Wagner) Garrison in Hill City, Kansas, on October 21, 1935.

She began her school career at the young age of four and her music career at the age of five. Music was one of the driving forces in Shirley’s life. She contracted tuberculosis in the third grade and was not allowed to participate in outside play activities for over two years. Music became her outlet and she realized God had given her an extraordinary talent. In high school she began to play the tenor sax in the band. She also played in a nine-member girls dance band.

Shirley attended Fort Hays College attaining a BA degree in music education in 1957, mastering the bassoon, French horn, organ, and her favorite instrument, the piano. Her first job was in Inman Kansas where she took the Jr. High band to a state competition and achieved top scores. In 1958 Shirley was hired as a music consultant for grades 4-6 by the Hutchinson KS School District. She was responsible for the music education of the students in thirteen elementary schools.

In the summer of 1960, Shirley went to Othello to visit her sister, Verla Keith and ended up meeting her husband, Dan Dever. Shirley and Dan married in Hill City, Kansas on November 24, 1960. In 1961 they moved to Othello, Washington, where Shirley was hired as vocal music teacher for the Othello School District. She resigned her position in 1962 to start a family and resumed teaching from 1969 to 1972, teaching 3rd grade in Royal City, Washington. In 1976 Shirley was hired to teach vocal music at Lutacaga, Scootney Springs and MacFarland Jr. High School in Othello. During those years she took choirs to contests, Christmas season openings in town, musicals in her schools, including planning and directing special assemblies. For several years she was the chairperson of the music department for the district. Shirley retired from teaching in 1995.

Another important part of Shirley’s life was sharing her passion for the arts with her community. She was a member of the state and city teachers’ organization, the Methodist and Lutheran churches where she played piano and directed the Chorus and the Othello Theater Guild, as both a pianist and actor. She provided piano accompaniment for the Othello Choral Orchestra Society for twenty-eight cantatas. Shirley was also involved in the Adams County Fair, the Othello Senior Center and the city beautification committee.

Shirley and Dan raised 3 boys of whom she was immensely proud. Her family was the most important part of her life. She is survived by Dan, her husband of fifty-three years and their three sons: Lance and his wife Janell, of Pasco WA, Terry and his wife Trish, of Newport WA, and Shawn, who resides in Seattle with his wife, Sharon. The lights of Shirley’s life were her grandchildren: Kendra, Ryan and Kirsten. She is also survived by one sister, Deloris Clark of Wichita KS, as well as nephews Leroy Keith of Mercer Island WA and Rod Radcliffe of Dallas, Texas.

Memorial donations can be made in Shirley’s name to the Othello Choral Society or the Othello Beautification Committee.

Arrangements under the direction of Stevens Funeral Chapel, Othello, WA.