Shirley was a true friend. She was a lovely person inside and out. I miss her dearly. I was very fortunate to have her as a friend. No one can ever replace her.

I was incredibly saddened when I came across my Great Aunts obituary. Especially as I was just getting ready to visit her. I hadn't seen her in quite some time due to my own health complications which include numerous surgeries and hospital and skilled nursing home stays.  It makes me very sad that I didn't get to spend time with her the last few years because of my health.

Auntie Shirley was my hero as a child and more often than not, my champion as well. She was very opinionated and stubborn. Traits I am sure I undoubtedly inherited from her. Her sense of humor was quick and she loved a good dirty joke. So do I. The older I get, the more I see her in me and I think she would have gotten a kick out of that.

I plan to make a trip to the Bay Area and pay tribute to her and Uncle Ken at the cemetery. 

She was a great lady and a force to be reckoned with and I admired her immensely. I wish I hadn't let my health stand in the way of visiting her. I just didn't want her to see me sick. Now I realize that it wouldn't have mattered at all.

My great great Auntie Shirley was and remains someone I can brag about being related to. Growing up I was convinced she was a celebrity of some sort because surely there was no way a normal person could be so colorful and full of so many life experiences. She was someone with life advice across all categories and stories so unique it left you questioning if there was ever an idle moment in her life. Whether it was interviewing her for school projects or listening to her speak at the dinner table on Christmas while eating my second slice of her famous Harvey Wallbanger cake; I feel incredibly lucky to have known Auntie Shirley. She undoubtedly lived her life to the fullest and one could be so lucky to accomplish half as much as she had in her life. Her inspiring and comedic nature will be greatly missed.