Shirley Kathryn Wold

1945 - 2018

Shirley Kathryn Wold
November 20, 1945 - September 23, 2018

On September 23, 2018, our sister, aunt, great aunt, and friend Shirley Kathryn Wold went peacefully to meet her maker.

Shirley was born November 20, 1945 in Bakersfield, CA. Her early years were spent in Fresno, CA and then she moved to Bakersfield, CA.

Shirley was an elementary school teacher with the Bakersfield City School District for her entire teaching career. She graduated from Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She earned her teaching credential from California Lutheran Intern Program. She was hired by BCSD in 1970 and started teaching 1st grade at Mt. Vernon Elementary School. She later taught 1st grade at Harris, and K, 1st, and 2nd grades at Horace Mann.

Shirley was selected to serve in the Mentor Teacher Program to assist many veteran teachers with their teaching skills. She was respected for innovative teaching methods especially in creative writing and art. She was one of the first teachers to accept computers in the classroom.

Shirley was active in Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association (BETA), CTA and NEA. She participated at the Local, county, state, and national levels. She served in many positions, including president. Shirley was a valued teacher advocate who selflessly contributed her time and energy to her fellow teachers. Shirley was one of the go-to people for bargaining chairs. She was level headed and always interested in what was best for the whole bargaining unit. She was very knowledgeable in all areas of the bargaining process. Many teachers who never met or knew her owe a lot to her bargaining savvy. Shirley continued to be active in retirement. She was a member of both CTA-Retired and immediate past president of Kern Retired Teachers Association. She was also active in the Kern City Association of Kern City.

In addition to this, she was a wonderful person and had many friends. She was kind with a hearty sense of humor. Shirley enjoyed kayaking, camping, local theater productions and trips to casinos.

She is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, as well as her step-brother Rodger L. Burcher. Shirley is survived by her brother Robert Wold Sr., step-sister Nancy Wagner, brother Thomas Wold, as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

As her step-sister, I was allowed to on this journey with her along with her cats, Nigel, Rosie, and Precious, who were faithful to the end. A big thanks to Hoffman Hospice and Round the Clock Staff and my daughter Kim. Without you, we would not have made it.

Per her instructions we were not supposed to do an obituary. But we just could not let her active, fun filled life go without acknowledgment.

I found this tucked away in her purse from a night out for Chinese Food: "You are kind hearted, hospitable, cheerful and well-liked."

That you were, our Sister, Aunt and Friend.