Shirley was born April 27th, 1935 in Duluth, Minnesota and passed away May 30th, 2021 at the age of 86 in Covington WA. At an early age her family moved to Seattle, WA. Shirley attended West Seattle High School. She was a loving wife and mother. She earned her CNA and served as a hospice volunteer in Auburn and Enumclaw, WA.

Shirley had an aggressive form of breast cancer diagnosed in early 2020. She had many times remarked that when her husband passed, the Lord took the wrong one as she was ready to be home with Jesus. At 85 years old, when it came time to address the cancer, she was a fighter and her Oncologist called her a “model patient”. After Surgery this last summer, Shirley was clear of the breast cancer but had some areas of concern that needed to be watched. The cancer returned and on May 30th she went home to be with her Savior.

Shirley was patient, grateful, and had a heart for others. She was deeply troubled at times during her cancer treatments and would say, “why are they trying to save me when someone younger should have this chance”. Her work was not done yet and up until her last hours, she was proclaiming her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to those around her.

Shirley had many pastimes. She loved being outdoors working in her yard on a sunny day. She loved a cup of tea and a good book. She loved spending time with friends and family and if that included a walk, that was all the better. If you had time for a game of Scrabble, she was ready and last but certainly not least, her time in prayer and time in the Word was essential to each day.

Shirley’s life was centered around her faith. Her passion was sharing her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and being a part of the church family throughout her life.

Comments from our family as we reflect on Shirley (Mom);

Mom was inspired by Corrie Ten Boom and we read through her reflections book again last summer. “Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.”

Mom loved her family and many others who were as family, she diligently prayed for all, desiring Gods best for them, salvation in Jesus Christ.

Shirley loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, read the word daily, and was constantly in prayer for those she loved.

Mom was always aware and had a knack for being at her door at almost any time when I would return home to say, “Oh, I thought that was you”. She was watchful and caring for her own. She was also known and loved by the neighborhood as Gram.

Mom had a table, a place to sleep, some book shelves, some chairs, her bible, some writing supplies, and pictures of her family surrounding her. A life very simple of “things” but extremely rich from the investments she made in the lives around her.

From Shirley: “She has crossed the line, she is no longer here”.

Shirley is survived by her 5 children and their spouses, 15 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and her sister and her two brothers. Her husband Don and her sister Lorraine passed before her.

Graveside Services for Shirley are on June 25th at 2:30 at Mountain View Cemetery in Auburn.

In lieu of flowers, hospice, Samaritans Purse, Bonney Lake food bank, and or Northwest Trek are groups Shirley loved and would approve of supporting with a donation.