Shirley Cardwell

At the young age of 95, Shirley Cardwell, aka “mother of all Cardwell’s”, finally decided she’d worked hard enough alongside her friends at Maimonides and set off on her next heavenly journey of rest, October 16, 2025. She passed peacefully in her bed, surrounded by her loving new family of caretakers, as well as family photos, a comforter stitched with family names, and letters from those who adored her.

Born in Franklin, New Jersey on July 26, 1930 — a true Depression baby — Shirley left that word depression far behind and instead filled her life with laughter, joy, and an open heart. She grew up in Sayre, Pennsylvania, alongside her twin brother Robert, surrounded by a big, loving extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Mom loved singing and performing in Sayre High School musicals. One of her favorite stories (and ours!) was about the time she and her twin brother played the romantic leads — and had to kiss on stage! After high school, she earned her RN from the Robert Packer Hospital Training School and then headed straight for New York City, where she embraced the lights of Broadway, Radio City Music Hall, and a glamorous apartment down the hall from Shirley Jones. Her time in the city filled her soul with joy, adventure, and a few great stories we may never know the full details of.

Eventually, she returned home to Sayre and joined the staff at Robert Packer Hospital, where she met our dad — a young doctor in residence for anesthesiology. After marrying, they moved to Richmond, Virginia, where Mom officially became a Southerner (sweet tea and all).

Raised by a strong mother, Shirley made sure her children and grandchildren carried that same strength — ready to take on the world in their twenties, but always knowing she was waiting in the wings with unconditional love, support, and, of course, an unsolicited opinion or two.

For her four children, childhood was an adventure. She never asked us to do chores; instead, she made sure we swam all summer long, leading us to be convinced she was a porpoise in a past life. She filled our lives with music lessons, family trips, and Southern traditions — teaching us to be “prim and proper” and reminding us often that “children are to be seen, not heard.”

After thirty years of marriage, Mom began a new chapter focused on her children and grandchildren. She made sure her grandchildren had tennis, golf, and swimming lessons, hosted us all at her Virginia Beach condo, and — at 65 — went tent camping from St. Louis to Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and the Badlands! She cruised to Bermuda to swim with dolphins, traveled to Hawaii, Las Vegas, attended the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, three seasons at Indian Wells ATP Tennis matches, and spent many summers relaxing by the Finger Lakes.

Mom loved to read, watch any sport (especially tennis), and rewatch Perry Mason and Pride and Prejudice — more times than any of us could count. She was a proud casserole connoisseur (did you ever try her chicken and rice?), and though she’d eat almost anything, fish was firmly off the list. She often told her children they were “rotten to the core” — but always with love. Her trademark “pursed lips” (which we all tried and failed to imitate) inevitably melted into a smile. And her phone calls? Let’s just say, if you answered, you’d better have snacks and a charger nearby.

A master-level bridge player, Shirley relished the challenge and camaraderie of monthly games and tournaments, always arriving in her favorite leopard-print faux fur coat and that unmistakable used—yes, pink—Cadillac.

Shirley was a wonderful daughter, loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother/step great grandmother, great, great step-grandmother, spirited sister, devoted cousin, and caring aunt.

She is survived by her stoic eldest son, George Cardwell (Sandy); her handsome son, Robert Cardwell; her feisty daughter, Katherine Abernathy (Christopher); and her patient, loving daughter-in-law, Michala Cardwell—who lovingly cared for and survives her beloved youngest, Charles (Pat) Cardwell (RIP 2023). She also leaves behind seven cherished grandchildren, plus four bonus grandchildren; five adorable great-grandchildren, plus one bonus great-grandchild; and two precious bonus great-great-grandchildren. A vast array of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and cousins abound. Mom often marveled, “Our family is getting so BIG!” 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you pour yourself an Ancient Age Bourbon and diet 7 over ice accompanied by a cheese ball and crackers, tell someone you love them, and leave your dishes until tomorrow — Shirley would approve.

A celebration of her wonderful, hilarious, loving life will be determined by the family and shared at a later date.

Mom lived, loved, and laughed to the fullest — and we can almost hear her now, saying, “Don’t cry for me, I’m just off on my next great adventure. Now!...get back to work and make some money!”