Shirley J. Howard
Oct. 25, 1928 - Dec. 8, 2019
Shirley Jean Howard was born in Portland, Oct. 25, 1928 to Edna Marquis Howard and H. Dale Howard. She passed away Dec. 8, 2019 at Holladay Park Plaza. Shirley lived the majority of her life in her family home in Laurelhurst with her grandmother, mother and brother.
She was an active Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association board member and officer, proud of her efforts to establish its historic neighborhood status on the National Registry. Shirley was also a member of numerous fraternal, philanthropic and professional organizations including Daughters of the American Revolution. Her proud American heritage reaches back to the Mayflower (John Alden) and emigrants from Scotland and the Isle of Man.
Shirley graduated from Grant High School in 1947 and attended Oregon State College (now OSU), graduating in Home Economics in 1951. Starting her freshman year, she worked at her first broadcasting job at public radio KOAC Corvallis. After graduation she worked for Coos-Curry Electric Coop in Coquille, Ore., promoting appliance sales by educating rural and remote Oregonians who were then new to electric power on the use of electricity. In 1959, KOAC Corvallis hired Shirley to host long-running daily radio interview shows called "Especially for Women" and "Oregon Dialogue" featuring "social priority subjects."
Shirley attended Michigan State in 1964, earning an MA from the university's Department of Radio and Television. In 1965, the American Association of University Women sponsored her year-long fellowship in journalism at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. This great adventure prompted her to learn Dutch and allowed her to travel throughout Europe and the holy land, as well as explore family roots.
Upon her return, she soon transferred to OPB in Portland, broadcasting daily live interviews with politicians, dignitaries, celebrities, performers and authors from the London Grill at the Benson Hotel. For more than 20 years she co-hosted commencements at OSU. She also produced a film for the OSU centennial in 1968. She retired in 1995.
Shirley was an independent person, ever challenged by her profession's "glass ceiling" for women. She packed around her bulky reel-to-reel tape recorder "like the guys," only in heels and a tailored wardrobe. Always a lively conversationalist, she remained sharp as a tack to the end. Her wry sense of humor, generosity, perception and original take on things will be greatly missed.
Shirley was preceded in death by her mother; and by her brother, Lyle Howard. She also leaves behind cousins, Malcolm Marquis, Philip Marquis, David Marquis and Julia Marquis; several second cousins; as well as countless Laurelhurst neighbors and friends who will miss her and her gift for gab. Her family jokingly attributed this to her broadcasting experience and a broadcaster's dread of "dead air."
A memorial service in Shirley's honor will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, at Holladay Park Plaza, 1300 N.E. 16th Street, Portland.
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Published by The Oregonian from Dec. 13 to Dec. 15, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Shirley Howard

Sponsored by The Family.

5 Entries

Alice Mills Morrow

December 21, 2019

Soon after joining the faculty of the OSU College of Home Economics in 1980, I met Shirley Howard. I was in awe. And as I got to know her, that awe increased. I feel so fortunate to have known her.

Marta (Roberts) Ponce

December 17, 2019

My father, Bob Roberts, worked alongside of Shirley at KOAC and OPB, and truly enjoyed his association and friendship with her. Shirley attended his Memorial service in June 2018, and it was a delight to see and speak with her.

December 16, 2019

To our dear, dear friend Shirley. The day of your passing I had told my sister "Shirley is on my mind and I want to stop by and say hello on my way to work". We have spend many fun hours together calling ourselves "The Yoga Girls". Shirley you never had a bad word to say about anyone and you loved
telling stories. Shirley and Lyle were the perfect pair and between the two of you, there was never a loll in our conversations. Who couldn't love our sweet Shirley? I will miss your wisdom and how you always had an idea for a new a restaurant to try. Also, our annual New Years eve concert at the Trinity Church (we always sat together). I regret not being able to tell you goodbye and how much I enjoy your friendship. Dear Shirley, you will always be
a part of our remaining "Yoga Girls". Wishing you a great time in your new adventures. Love you always, Clair and Sharon

Bill Cooper

December 16, 2019

I met Shirley when she was at OPB and I was a reporter for KEX radio. Shirley was one of the nicest people I have ever known. On one of the first stories I covered for KEX my cassette machine somehow stopped recording. I didn't have the audio I needed to write my stories. Shirley saw my panic-stricken face and knew exactly what had happened. She graciously offered to let me copy her tape. She said the exact same thing had happened to her once and another reporter had bailed her out, so she was just paying it forward. RIP Shirley.

Judith Kearney

December 16, 2019

My family lived two doors down from the Howard home, and Shirley was an anchor in the neighiborhood. Always with a story to share and an ear to listen, she was beloved by all who knew her. She was funny, adventurous and delightful to be around. She brought meomries to all who knew her. Rest in peace, Shirley!

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