Shirley Dean Wieringo

1934 - 2023

Shirley Dean Wieringo, age 89, of Rustburg, Virginia passed away Monday morning, September 4th after a long illness.

Shirley was born in Madison Heights, Virginia on June 15th, 1934, where she graduated from Madison Heights High School. She met her future husband of 64 years Cecil E. Wieringo in Lynchburg and they were married in 1957. Together, they traveled the world while he was in the Army. She saw Africa, Germany and Austria but developed an especially deep love for Italy, its people and its food. There, she made lifelong friends, including Anna Lisa with whom she continued to speak over the phone until recently. Shirley even bore their first son Michael there in Vicenza, Italy in 1963 and learned to speak fluent Italian. When Cecil was later stationed in upstate New York, she had her second son, Matthew. After her husband's discharge from the Army, they settled in Rustburg where Shirley loved living on her hill in the woods where she could enjoy the fresh air and quiet and observe the wildlife. Shirley loved animals, her close friends and making her own jewelry. But her greatest passion was reading. She loved mysteries and gothic romances and kept a large collection of cherished books.

She always had a good word for everyone she met, making sure to always greet new friends with a compliment so they could feel good about themselves. So, if you're reading this now, Shirley would want you to know that your hair looks nice today, you have a lovely name and you're great at your job.

Shirley is preceded in death by her mother Elsie Massie of Madison Heights, her sister Dorothy Whitehead of Newport News and her son Michael Lance Wieringo of Durham, NC.

She is survived by her husband Cecil E. Wieringo of Rustburg, her son Matthew Wieringo (who will miss her world-class no-bake cookies every Thanksgiving) and his wife Suzanne of Richmond, VA.

The Wieringo family will celebrate Shirley's life at a private ceremony at a later date. They suggest that, in lieu of flowers, friends may make donations to the Humane Society/SPCA of Nelson County, 29 Stagebridge Road, Lovingston, VA. 22949.