Shirley Hanks

Shirley Anne (Mardorf) Hanks, 89, of Worthington, Ohio recently passed away, on the 24th of May 2024. Shirley was born in Cleveland, Ohio on November 2, 1934, and was an only child of Edward and Betty Mardorf. During her youth, she attended Euclid High School (Cleveland) as well she attended Ohio Wesleyan University where she was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. She transferred to Case Western Reserve University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Journalism. It was shortly after graduation that Shirley was introduced and would eventually marry Clifford Hanks (Cleveland). They were happily married for over 60 years until Clifford’s passing in 2017.

Like many women of her time Shirley took on the hardest job of all, that of raising a family consisting of her husband and three children. She was the type of mother who would put family above herself, regardless of the consequences to her. From nurturing us when we were ill to laughing with us during the good times and holding us tight during the bad. As with all families, children eventually grow up and move away and start their own families.

Shirley took this newfound time in her life and devoted it to volunteerism. From Worthington Women’s Club to the Buckeye Ranch to T.W.I.G. to the Memorial Golf Tournament to The Festival of Trees to Children’s Hospital, there was not a group that she worked with that was not blessed with her assistance to make the world a better place for those less fortunate.

Shirley is proceeded in death by her parents Edward and Betty Mardorf and her husband Clifford Hanks. She is survived by her daughter Lisa (George) Gevas, sons Chip (Karen) Hanks and Todd (Heather) Hanks along with grandchildren Christina Meyer (Max), Andrea Roper (Matt), David Hanks, Brian Hanks, Brittney Hanks, Matthew Hanks, Joseph Hanks, and Courtney Hanks.

We would like to thank Gentiva Hospice for the wonderful care they gave to her in her final days of life. When we think of her today we do not remember the person who was ravished by disease, but as the woman who made sunshine for all of us on the darkest of days.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Alzheimer’s Association of Columbus or Gentiva Hospice.