Shirley Miyoko Sueoka Enlow

Age 71, of Christmas Valley, Oregon, passed away in Bend, OR, on August 3, 2011, from her battle with cancer. She was born on May 11, 1940, in Petaluma, CA, to Shigeru and Chieno Sueoka, both poultry farmers. She and her family were interned at the relocation camp in Amache, Colorado, during World War II. After graduating from Petaluma Senior High School, she attended University of California, Davis and graduated from University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. degree, followed by a R.N. degree from Samuel Merritt University. After working in the nursing profession in the San Francisco Bay Area, she moved to the Tri-Cities area in Washington state. In 1973, Shirley married Melvin Enlow and, with their children Calvin and Luella, they raised livestock. Subsequently, the farming life moved the Enlow Family to Christmas Valley. After Melvin's death, Shirley remained a resident of Christmas Valley and was employed at the Christmas Valley Branch Library, the Trail, and the Christmas Valley Lodge. Upon retirement, she devoted herself to volunteering at the Christmas Valley Branch Library, assisting in daily operations, the Children's Summer Reading Programs, and the Friends of the Library fundraisers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin, and her parents. She is survived by her children: Calvin Enlow of Georgia and Luella Sueoka of NC; brothers: William Sueoka of Thousand Oaks, CA, and Thomas Sueoka (Carol) of Orinda, CA; grandchildren: Danielle and Kyle Enlow of Eugene, OR, and Kira Enlow of Detroit, MI; great-grandchild: Nathaniel Enlow of Eugene, OR; many nieces and nephews; special friends: Barbara Remy, Julie Crowl, Ilene Thompson of Christmas Valley, OR, and Laura Harley of Eugene, OR. Shirley is under the care of Autumn Funerals of Bend. Private burial will occur in Christmas Valley, OR. A public celebration of Shirley's life will be held in Christmas Valley on Friday, August 12, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christmas Valley Branch Library "In the Memory of Shirley S. Enlow" at P.O. Box 87, Christmas Valley, OR 97641. The Enlow and Sueoka Families wish to acknowledge their heartfelt thanks to the medical, nursing, spiritual and support staffs of St. Charles Medical Center and Hospice House, both in Bend, OR, for their professional, highly competent, and compassionate care.