Aunt Shirley

My Aunt Shirley passed away on Mother's Day. She was my mom's older sister.

I have good memories of my Aunt Shirley.  She was  married to Uncle Gordon, who was career military police in the U.S. Army.  They lived all over the world and when I was growing up they spent a lot of time in Germany and Iran.  It was different then and if she called from Germany it was a big deal and was only for three minutes.  Aunt Shirley was a good military wife and went with the all of the moves and distance from her family with grace.

In between posts her family would come to stay at my grandparent's dairy for several weeks at a time.  One year they came with a big, brand new convertible. I remember sitting in the back seat with my legs straight out and not able to reach the front seat. I can still picture her hands on the wheel, she always had a beautiful manicure, as we flew around the curves on Wiser Lake Road. Oooh, I thought she was so glamorous.  She had diamonds and rubies, diamonds and sapphires and diamond and emerald sets.  She collected Hummels that she'd bought in Germany.  She sent my Mom exciting birthday gifts from around the world.  She shipped home Landen's hand me down clothes from Germany for my sister and I.  They were beautiful clothes.  Not like anything from the Lynden Department Store!

When I was in first grade she lived in Monterey, California while Uncle Gordon was in Korea. She needed to get everything packed for another move and then drive with Landen and Ed to Lynden.  My parents drove there to help her, and by helping I mean getting Landen and Ed out of the apartment.  My parents picked them up and we drove to Disneyland. Aunt Shirley packed up everything and then we all drove back to Washington. It was such fun and a good memory for me.

After Uncle Gordon retired from the military, they moved back to Whatcom County.  Then we all experienced Aunt Shirley's hospitality and delicious cooking. She worked for Trillium and set up a job interview for me to be the Syre family nanny.  I am so thankful for my years I spent with the Syre family.

Aunt Shirley always had an office job outside of her home, always ran her home beautifully and was a dear mother and aunt.  She was one of those women that seem to do it all with ease.  Though I am sure it wasn't easy moving all over the world and being away from her family.

I am so grateful for my memories of Aunt Shirley.

She was a gem.