Shirley Bulla

Shirley Bulla, long-time resident of Boulder, died of natural causes at her home on August 5, 2018. She was born 89 years ago in Plentywood, Montana, the second daughter of Rev. Earle and Doris Sawtelle Clifford. She spent her younger years in Montana and in Gorham, Maine, then entered Berea College in Kentucky as a student nurse. She soon transferred to the Department of Music, earning a degree in Music Education. She taught briefly in Tulsa, Oklahoma, before moving to Boulder in 1952 with her husband, Bill, newly employed at the National Bureau of Standards. In Boulder Shirley taught private piano and worked part time as a legal secretary and bookkeeper. Her home, family, friends, her UU Church of Boulder, and classical piano music were her joy until her death. Her husband of 61 years predeceased her. She is survived by her three children: Bonnie Browne of West Richland, WA.; Ellen Bulla-Irwin of Bay Point, CA.; and Will Bulla of Boulder ; 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. A memorial service celebrating Shirley's life will be held on Sunday, September 2, 2018 at 1:00 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, 5001 Pennsylvania Ave, Boulder.