With grace and a life well-lived, Shirley Elizabeth Serkiz, 92, of Matthews, North Carolina, passed away on May 13, 2025. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, on January 10, 1933, to George and Lillian Schultz, Shirley's early years took her to the sun-kissed shores of South Florida. There, she blossomed as a Brownie in the Girl Scouts of America, and with a spirit of youthful contribution, assisted her mother in rolling bandages for the war effort and volunteered in the kitchen of the German POW camp that once stood where Dadeland Mall thrives today.

Later in life, after embracing motherhood, Shirley embarked on a fulfilling career in the medical field. She began as a secretary within the bustling Operating Room/Surgical division of Jackson Memorial Hospital. Driven by a thirst for knowledge, Shirley pursued her Associate’s degree in Speech Pathology through evening studies at community college. Her professional journey spanned fifteen years, leading her through Medical Records Administration before returning to the OR division as a dedicated procurement specialist.

In the late 1970s, a new chapter unfolded in Virginia, where Shirley dedicated another two decades to George Washington University Hospital. Rising through the ranks, she served as Manager and later Director of OR Procurement within the Surgical division. During her tenure at GWU, Shirley played a vital role within the OR suite, offering invaluable assistance to staff and coordinating critical logistics during significant events, including the aftermath of the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan and the mass casualty response to the tragic Air Florida crash on the 19th Street bridge.

Retirement brought Shirley to Charlotte, North Carolina, in the late 1990s, where she could be closer to her cherished family. She embraced her leisure years with joy, tending to her beloved flowers and, above all, treasuring the companionship of her family, which always included the loyal presence of her many dogs.

Shirley's legacy lives on through her loving son, Christopher Baxas (Sandy) of Charlotte, NC; her stepchildren, Karen Graham (William) of Midlothian, VA, Steven Serkiz (Linda) of Aiken, SC, and John Serkiz of Canada; her grandchildren, Michael Baxas, William Graham, Jr. (Dori), M. Andrew Graham (Christina), Margaret Graham, M. Maxwell Serkiz, and Jack Serkiz; her great-step-grandchildren, Collins Graham, William Graham, III, and Maddox Graham; and her sisters, Jean Wooley (Robert) of Wilmington, NC, and Nancy Palmer (David) of Punta Gorda, FL.

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