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SHIRLEY HOWELL Obituary
Shirley Howell, a native of Castleford, Idaho and resident of Merced County since 1976, passed away on September 29, 2010.
She graduated from San Juan High, Fair Oaks in 1957, and was employed at A Woman's Place, MerCal Electric, K-Mart, and Avon Representative for 25 years. She loved to Line Dance and travel with companion Sam Pioske.
Shirley is preceded in death by parents Earl and Ester VanHooser and her son Billy Boyette.
She is survied by sons Ken Bailey of Fresno, wife Pauline and Dan Howell from North Carolina and wife Diane; daughter Lorie Gonzales and husband Gordon; 10 Grandchildren; 1 great grandson; 3 sisters, Barbara Raley of Fair Oaks and husband Roger, Carol Halliburton of Fair Oaks and husband Tom, and Billie Sue Wilson and her husband Robert from Arizona. She will be greatly missed by nieces and nephews and many friends.
A Celebration of life at the home of her daughter Lorie Gonzales, 5204 W Shaw Ave, Winton, Saturday, October 2nd, 11am.
Arrangements entrusted to Wilson Family Funeral Chapel of Atwater.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for SHIRLEY HOWELL
October 27, 2010
To all of our dear friends and family, words can never express how much we thank each and everyone of you. My Mom, Shirley Howell was such a beautiful, special person to each and every one of us. Will so be missed. I Love you. Lorie
Ruth Ann
October 6, 2010
Aunt Shirl, I just cannot believe you are gone. It's not right, you were larger than life. At your celebration of life I kept feeling like YOU should have been there....but I know you were. I miss your presence on this earth. I always knew you were one in a million, but to see the diverse gathering at your memorial showed me all that you touched. I am happy you are reunited with Billy, Grandma and Grandad. I will see you all again someday. Until then, I love you.
Nola and Nick Rumsey
October 6, 2010
We all know the "Reason" Shirley came into our lives. Once you met her you knew you had known her forever. I am for ever blessed for having her in my life, even if only for the "Season," sharing such glorious cheer with her, eyes, smile, and open heart. She has changed us all in one way or another and we will all miss her for a "Life Time," leaving a hole in our hearts the size of forever.
October 2, 2010
My heart sank when I heard Shirley had went home to our father in heaven. Blessed indeed to have known Shirley. She will be greatly missed. ~Bernadette Fleitz
Lana Machado
October 2, 2010
Thankyou Shirley for sharing your lovely spirit and beautiful smile with us at linedancing...you will be forever missed.
Your friend Lana
Russell Bianchi
October 2, 2010
The good Lord has blessed our heavens with a one of a kind "New Angel"!
I am honored and privaliged to have known Shirley for a short time. Her giant heart and beautiful smile and personality will be deeply missed. May she rest in peace and enjoy line dancing every day above us all in our heavens clowds.....
Russell Bianchi
Atwater, Ca.
Judi, Don-Henry, and Deanne Fursman
October 2, 2010
What a sad day when we heard Shirley was gone from this world. We thank Sam for the opportunity of knowing her. For that short time, she enriched our lives. When we think of her, we smile. She was such a positive, cavalier personality, and we felt as if we always knew her. We looked forward to good times still to happen, and regret that is not to be, but have our memories of good times past. No one really knows about the hereafter, but we are confident we will meet up with Shirley again there.
Deanna Adame
October 1, 2010
Shirley gave me my first real job at K-mart when I was 16 years of age. She saw me grow up, get married and have kids. She gave me advice through all my trials and help me turn bad things into good in my life. She became a client at my Salon and I became a client of hers when she sold Avon. I loved to hear her great little laugh and the stories she told of the life she was enjoying. She will certainly be missed. I am so glad to have known her these last 25 years.
Nancy Awbrey
October 1, 2010
A rose once grew where all could see,
sheltered beside a garden wall,
And as the days passed swiftly by,
it spread its branches, straight and tall….
One day, a beam of light shone through
a crevice that had opened wide ~
The rose bent gently toward its warmth
then passed beyond to the other side
Now, you who deeply feel its loss,
be comforted ~ the rose blooms there ~
Its beauty even greater now, nurtured by God’s own loving care.
Ted Hogan
October 1, 2010
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Curt Van Hooser
October 1, 2010
Her fire burned bright and then it was out. But for awhile, it warmed us all.
Ken & Pam Ballard
October 1, 2010
We have known Shirley since she worked for the HVAC company at 13th & G so many years ago. She will truly be missed. Our heart goes out to Shirley's family.
Diane Pirlot
October 1, 2010
I've done a lot of traveling and met a lot of wonderful people along the way, but some of the best times I've ever had were on the Mediterranean cruise thanks to the pleasure of Shirley and Sam's company. What a lovely lady who lived and enjoyed life to the fullest!
Terry Gasper
October 1, 2010
I enjoyed you so much!! You were such a wonderful breath of fresh air! You always made me happy. I will think about you often and will miss you very much! It was a pleasure knowing you!!!
Karen Miller
October 1, 2010
To the family of Shirley Howell, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. We only met Shirley just a short month ago, when she roomed with my mother for a couple days at Stanford Hospital, but we will always remember her. Her smile was infectious and she kept us laughing, even though she wasn't feeling well. She was the best roommate my mother could have asked for in the hospital.
Joan Bowers
October 1, 2010
Shirley was a very special person and friend. I will miss her very much. She was warm, caring, understanding, and was, and always will be an inspiration to me.
Jackie O'Brien
October 1, 2010
Shirley was a ray of sunshine even in our brief friendship. I saw her as a wonderful spirit and she always put a smile on my face. You will be missed my dancing friend. Jackie O.
Ron & Kathy Moore
October 1, 2010
Shirley was a shining light. She will be missed. Our thoughts & prayers are with her family.
October 1, 2010
From the rehab staff at Franciscan (Alan, Rhea and Sandy), we wanted to express how much we thought of Shirley. She was a wonderful woman, strong, caring and full of spunk. We will miss the luncheons and get togethers that she participated in. She was part of our family as well, and will be truly missed.
Samuel Pioske
October 1, 2010
To say that I miss you is an understatement. We may not have had a long time together but in my heart we had years. You came into my life at a time that I needed you and you needed me and nothing every felt so right. My family loves you, my freinds love you, and I most of all I love you. Until we dance again, you are always in my heart.
Angela Kozell
October 1, 2010
To one of the most fun-loving,enjoyable people I've known. You have been such an inspiration to so many. We will miss your readings at the family Christmas party - you always made it entertaining. You will always be in our hearts. May you soar on the wings of angels.
Janice Van Hooser Bachelor
October 1, 2010
Such a bright light has been extingished here on earth. Such a bright light has just lit up the heavens. You made us laugh, you showed us love, you made life more fun. You will be missed but never forgotten!
MFA PARKSIDE
October 1, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Butterfly Days Mariposa
Gayle Lingenfelter
October 1, 2010
What a great, great lady!!! Who will be missed by all. So glad dancing brought us together. Love you & your family.
Gloria Gibson
October 1, 2010
To the dearest, sweetest, and most fun loving person. I know you put up a fight to the end. Thank you for sharing your life with me. You will always be in my heart along with your wonderful family.
Gloria Gibson
October 1, 2010
To the sweetest, most loving, fun, and fiestiest person. I have had the greatest pleasure of sharing my life with you.
You will always be in my heart along with your wonderful family.
The Staff of Wilson Family Chapel
September 30, 2010
The Staff and Wilson Family Chapel wishes to extend their sympathy and their assistance for this time of need.
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