Beloved wife, mother, grandma, and friend, Shirley Gardner passed away on January 15, 2024 at the age of 89.
Shirley was born in Pontiac, Illinois on May 30, 1934, to Kenneth and Edna Tyler. Shirley graduated as the valedictorian of her 27-member class from Arthur High School, in Arthur, IL. She met LeRoy Gardner while attending Northern Baptist College in Chicago. After a short courtship, they were married on August 17, 1957. Shirley and Roy served in American Baptist churches in California, Iowa, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. They settled in Minnesota where they raised their three daughters DeeAnne, Jill, and Carol. Shirley worked as the Finance Director at the Episcopal Church Home, Retirement Community, for 20 years. Regarded as a “legend” for her work ethic and accuracy, as she balanced books “to the penny.”
After retirement in 1996, Shirley and Roy moved to Fairbury, Illinois to care for Shirley’s aging father. In 2004, they settled in Colorado Springs where First Baptist Church became their church home. Shirley and Roy loved to travel and were avid birdwatchers. Shirley enjoyed book club, playing the piano and spending time with her friends and family. After Roy’s death, Shirley moved to Bear Creek Senior Living where she met new friends, played lots of Bingo and comfortably lived out her final days. The family would like to thank the staff at Bear Creek for the excellent care and attention she received.
Shirley is survived by son-in-law, Cecil Bonebright; daughters, Jill (Jeff) Pagel and Carol Pollitt; grandchildren: James (Rachael) Bonebright, Tyler (Betsy) Pagel, Josh (Holly) Pagel, and Alicia (Scott Lopez) Beinbrech, and bonus grandson, Andrew (Sarah) Kwon; and great-grandchildren: Isaiah, Malachi, Levi, Logann, Penelope, Annette and Olivia. She was preceded in death by husband, Roy; eldest daughter, DeeAnne Bonebright; and son-in-law, Steve Pollitt.
The visitation will be held at Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80910 on Thursday, February 1st, from 5:00-7:00 pm.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Colorado Springs, 317 E. Kiowa St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 on Friday, February 2nd at 1:00pm. A dessert reception will immediately follow. The service will be livestreamed and can be found at www.firstbaptist-cs.org
Memorials to First Baptist Church of Colorado Springs.