Shirley Dolores Papin

1935 - 2024

Shirley Dolores Papin

March 3, 1935 - November 11, 2024

Los Alamos, New Mexico - Shirley was born in Blaine, Washington to George and Lillian Brandt amid the great depression. They relocated to Bellingham shortly after. Her parents had come from very humble circumstances and through hard work managed to achieve a middle-class life. Her father George "Turk" was a fisherman and the first boat he built was the "Shirley B" when she was a toddler. Bigger and better boats would follow but this was the foundation of what would become a solid and successful career. Last seen, the Shirley B was still afloat 70 years later.

A strong work ethic was instilled in Shirley at an early age, her first job was as an aid at the local Fairhaven Library when she was 16 years old. Shirley loved to read; books were always an important part of her life. This passion grew into a career. In college she would study education and library science. She spent over 25 years working in libraries including 20 years at the University of Washington. She enjoyed helping graduate students with their research projects, knowing how to locate the materials they needed for their studies. When they graduated, she would often receive flowers in appreciation.

While attending college at Western Washington University, Shirley met Edwin Papin. They married and had three children. This marriage ended, leaving her a single mother with three children to raise. She returned to college when her kids were 10, 8, and 5.

In addition to reading, Shirley found pleasure in gardening, playing pinochle and hunting for treasures at estate sales. She also enjoyed researching historical topics and financial investments. At age 89 she was still going to the library to read the Wall Street Journal and numerous financial periodicals. In 2017 Shirley moved to Los Alamos; leaving her life in the Pacific Northwest behind wasn't that hard. She discovered she really liked sunny winters and the community, particularly the welcoming people residing at Oppenheimer Place.

Shirley is survived by her three children: her daughter Pallas Papin of Los Alamos, NM, her two sons Dart and Marcus Papin, one grandson Dylan Conradson, sister Virginia Reiber, and a beloved niece of Bellingham, Gina Wolff. And numerous grand cats.