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Ardith SHIVAR Obituary
She was born in Detroit, Mich., Oct. 30, 1925, the daughter of Charles T. and Irene Bethel Gaines. Lou grew up in Memphis, Tenn., where she was such an outstanding tennis player, as a teenager and young woman, that she was later voted into the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame. Lou attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C., where she played on the varsity men's team. There she met her husband, William H. Shivar (COL. USAF, RET.) forming not only a great mixed doubles tennis partnership, but a partnership for life. They just celebrated their 64th anniversary. They also excelled as partners in bridge playing all over the world wherever his military career would take them. In 1957, she decided to plant roots in Newport News, Va., so her two sons, William Harold Shivar Jr. of Newport News, Va., and Walker Waite Shivar (Donna) of Norfolk, Va., could continue their education without interruption. She abandoned her athletic endeavors and began a long career as a successful business woman, becoming regional manager for World Book Encyclopedia, before founding Finger Tips Ltd., and serving a term as president of The Peninsula Sales and Marketing Club.
She will be greatly missed by her granddaughters, Frances Shivar of Newport News, Va., Kaitlyn and MacKenzie Shivar of Norfolk, Va.; brother, Paul B. Gaines (Linda) of Houston, Texas; nieces, Ellen, Stephanie, Andrea; and special friends, Juanita Fields, Mary Ann Elliot and Jeannie Bumpass.
We would like to thank the loving and compassionate ladies of Home Helpers, who cared for "Mama Lou" during this difficult time.
Contributions in her memory can be made to: St. Matthew's Church, 215 Main St., Newport News, VA.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, March 28, at Peninsula Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, at St. Matthew's, followed by interment at Peninsula Memorial Park.
By the way, to end the match she pulled off her signature play, a perfectly executed unreturnable drop shot. She was a winner again.
Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ardith SHIVAR
Umberto Brenti
March 23, 2019
I had the pleasure, many years ago, to meet her and her lovely Husband and sons Bill and Walker. We had lovely dinners togheter . I will never forghet the beautiful way she treated myself and my Family!
My deep love and simpaty, to my best friend in the world: Bill Shiver.
Carolyn Schools
March 31, 2011
GOD, works miracles!Tonight I was sitting with my laptop and suddenly the name Lou Shivar came to my mind. I had not thought of Lou for years. I went to facebook and entered her name. Portions of her obituary appeared. I immediately searched to see if this was the Lou I knew so many years ago. You know the rest of the story. I met Lou in 1973/1974 in Tappahannock, Va. with World Book Encyclopedia. She trained me with the other sales people in our group. She took extra time with me, went with me to prospects homes, came to my home in King and Queen County. She really wanted me to be successful. She listened and gave me advise, I respected her and she certainly was a role model. Yes, I sold many sets of encyclopedias. Lou, was a great lady and even after so many years I will never forget her. GOD, bless Lou's entire family.
Pat and L.T. Vaughan
March 30, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of your loss. May your memories of Ardith and your happy times together help you through this time of sadness.
Terry Cooper
March 30, 2011
I had the pleasure of working for Mrs. Shivar when I was just a teen at World Book Encyclopedia. She was a gracious lady and someone I have never forgotten some 40 years later. She treated everyone with kindness. My deepest sympathy to her family.
March 30, 2011
Dear Colonel and family:
We are so very sad to hear of your loss. What an extremely wonderful, kind and talented person, we are so proud to have met her lovely aquaintance. Please take good care of each other.
Velma Lee, Spencer Liang and family
Steve, Anne, Caleb & Olivia Nevins
March 30, 2011
With deep sympathy to the Colonel and the entire Shivar Family.
Valerie Rasieleski
March 30, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Joel Fields
March 30, 2011
Colonel, you and Mrs. Lou have been like family to myself, my parents, and Tito. You have always been there for us. Mrs. Lou will truly be missed. My prayers and comfort are with you at this time.
March 29, 2011
Bill, Allen and I are thinking of you and so sorry that you lost your beautiful mom. I know she was so proud of you and Frannie. Your mom and dad were a very special couple. Take care and see you soon. Fondly, Debbie Tanner
Fr. F. S. Blair
March 29, 2011
Our prayers are with you at this time. Lou will be remembered at the altar of the Chapel of Saint Ambrose, La Luz, NM
Yours in Christ,
Fr. and Mrs. Blair
March 29, 2011
Thinking of you Colonel, and your family.
Gwen
Dr. Beverlee Engle
March 29, 2011
In a brief moment, I knew her worth and felt honored to have made Lou's acquaintance. May your memories comfort you, now and always.
Johnny & Cindy Overman
March 29, 2011
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Marcus Crawford
March 29, 2011
Thinking of you today. My thoughts and prayers are with you always. Deepest sympathy to the "Colonel", Bill, and Franny...
Pete Shepherd
March 28, 2011
Col. So sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you. I am sorry I never had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Shivar. I know you have lost not only your wife, but also your life companion. Peace of the Lord be always with you.
Umberto Brenti
March 28, 2011
Dear Bill,
My deep Condolence to you and all your relatives for Momma Lou departure.
Unfortunately time goes by, we are getting older and in my case I don't have Parents left alive and looking in the street of life, next will be me....I wish could be with you on the Funeral day.
All my deep love to you, Papa Colonel and Walker.
Umberto Brenti.
Crystal Alston
March 28, 2011
I have never experienced a family so loving as the Shivar family. My heart still aches. As I was with Momma Lou in in her final days...I know she is resting peacfully now.All my love to the family.From Home Helpers
Donna Pate
March 28, 2011
I wish I'd had the pleasure of meeting such an incredible woman...my deepest condolences and my thoughts and prayers to Col. Shiver, Bill and Frannie...
Sue Corbett
March 28, 2011
Thinking of all the Shivars today. I hope when I go my obituary is as full of life and fun and love and as well-written as Lou's was!
March 28, 2011
Sorry for your loss
Frances Bradbury
March 28, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with Lou's family in this time of sorrow. Lou was a wonderful business woman and will be missed by many.
Brad and Fran Bradbury
Karen Lyeth
March 28, 2011
Love and peace to all Lou's family. May her spirit live on through all who knew her. I am thankful that our paths crossed. Karen Chapman Lyeth
March 28, 2011
Col, please accept my most sincere condolences to you and your family. Your wife will never be forgotten, she was a very special person. God bless you all..love Ana Bossman
Mickey Haskins
March 28, 2011
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your mother. Her obituary suggests she left you with fond memories.
March 28, 2011
Colonel, Bill, Walker, Frannie, and all of your family, we are so sorry for your loss. Please know that we are thinking about you. Sandy and Johnny Meadows
Sheryl Williams
March 28, 2011
I never met your beloved Ardith but I feel I know her from your beautifully written obituary. What a lovely person and accomplished tennis player she must have been! Thanks for sharing such great memories - I bet she has found a nice court up there already! I know you'll miss her -- God bless you all.
Lynn Watson Fisher
March 28, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
March 28, 2011
God's love and peace to the Shivar family. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
Tom, Susan, and Cassie Ardern
Robin, Doug, Kellie and Kevin Kircheval
March 28, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
March 28, 2011
I never had the pleasure of meeting this wonderful woman; wife, mother and grandmother of my dear friends. But, I know how special she was. I will be thinking of you Colonel, Bill, and Frannie.
sincerely,
Randy Cook
Ric and Pam Alexander
March 28, 2011
May Lou's soul rest in peace and her spirit be eternally amonst us. May the peace of the Lord be with the Shivar family during their time of sorrow.
Showing 1 - 31 of 31 results
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