A Good Bye to Shirley

   

Stan & Shirley Lahaina La'au Maui 2007 

As you may remember I went to visit my daughter and son in law in Chicago in December for the holiday.   We then drove to Holyoke, Colorado to have Christmas with Eric's Grandmother~ Shirley, Grandfather ~Stan, Eric's parents, brother, and sister, hubby & baby who drove from California & Oregon.    With Shirley and Stan being in their mid-80's, the family felt they wanted to spend Christmas with them.  Children, grandchildren, and a great-grand child were there.  A house overflowing with fun, laughter, and love.       Photos taken at Shirley's House ~ Christmas 2007         I received the news yesterday from my daughter that Shirley died Friday after being hospitalized for pneumonia.  The hospital in Holyoke only has 4 beds.  When her condition worsened she was being flown to Denver when she coded.  For ten minutes the air ambulance attempted CPR.  She was revived.      After landing at the hospital her husband was notified of her grave condition and that she would never be the same.  Her organs were failing and her brain had been without oxygen for too long. She had another heart attach a few hours later and died.       Shirley had the dearest heart I've ever know.  She and Stan had flown to Hawaii with my daughter and son in law last May.  I met them all at the airport and we drove to the northwest side of the island, talking and getting to know each other.  We were there a week.  And even though Shirley and Stan were in their mid-80's, Stan on oxygen, Shirley recovering from a stroke, they were there for Nicolle and Eric.          Happy Hour~Maui May 2007     Shirley adored Nicolle.  She asked me  what Nicolle was like as a child, told me how lovely and generous my daughter was, & asked me if Nicci got her flair for art from me.  Christmas day when all the grand kids were outside playing in the snow she & I sat at the kitchen table having tea.  The kids and grand kids would come in with red cheeks and snow in their hair.  She made cocoa and one by one, they would join us at the table.   I remember her smile, her eyes filled with love, her hugs and the way she held my hand.   It's so hard to believe that Christmas in Colorado was only 3 months ago and this precious lady is gone.   So please indulge me as I say it the only way I know how ~ In photos~  

      Family Photo with me ( ex-husband in back) Mama's Fish House Maui~May 2007         Four Generations Lynette, Shirley, Sonya & Ella Christmas 2007   I am not a religous person, but I am spiritul. Shirley died on Good Friday And that in itself says a great deal about this wonderful lady