After John served in the army during the Korean war, they settled in Ogden, Utah where they lived for 67 years. They raised five sons, John, Alan, Todd, Christopher and Nathan.

Shirley served as room mother for all five of her sons which lead to her becoming PTA President at Washington Terrace Elementary and TH Bell Jr. High.

When Shirley was young, she coaxed and coaxed her parents to buy her a piano so she could take lessons to learn how to play. Finally, they gave in and bought her a piano. Then just like her students, she did not want to practice but her mother made her stick to it. She mastered the piano, playing in church and for community choirs.

When son Todd came home from the hospital in 1961, she was hanging laundry in the backyard when her neighbor, Barbra East asked if she knew anyone who could teach piano. Mom volunteered herself and began her piano teaching career. She taught for 65 years. At the peak of her career she had 75 students. She formed a strong and very personal relationship with all her students. She was a teacher, a friend and a therapist for many of these young students. She was an inspiration and counselor to many of her adult students. Her love for music led her to the Ogden Chamber Choir, where she sang for 15 years.

During her lifetime she served in the Young Women, Primary Presidency, Relief Society and was the Ward Organist for 20 years.

Her husband, John, was involved in Toastmasters International, a public speaking organization where she followed by his side for 25 years. After his passing, Shirley followed in John’s footsteps and joined Toastmasters. Shirley began speaking in her local clubs and became fully engaged in the Toastmaster organization. In August 2001 she received the Toastmaster Presidential Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Toastmaster International.

She loved crafting from quilts and sewing including knitting and cross stitch. She won several blue ribbons from the county and state fairs.

She loved to travel. Early camping trips with friends and family to Island Park, later in life she began cruising around the world going from Alaska to the Antarctic and many other beautiful locations.

Shirley loved serving those around her and especially those who entered her home. She formed an amazing bond with so many of the Applegate staff who have visited her and worked with her for what feels like years. Sarah, Brooke, Lori, Stephanie, Josie, Lance, Jed, Heidi, Heather and Nicole and to the Staff at Applegate, you receive the deepest thanks from our family for the dedicated and exceptional service provided for Shirley and our family, a gratitude that will always be remembered and appreciated. Thank you.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 12 p.m., at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with the family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:45-11:45 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.