Shirley Mae Spildie

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, we lost our beautiful lady of flowers, Shirley Mae Spildie. Her passing was unexpected and sudden. She died at home as she would have wished.

Shirley was born in Billings on March 23, 1932 to Everett and Wanda (Evans) Wright, the first of five children. When Shirley was nine her parents divorced and her home life was split between Billings and Livingston. She shouldered the responsibility of helping raise her siblings, particularly her youngest sister, Donna. Shirley completed her senior year at Billings Sr. High School. Always an excellent student, she was noted for reading one novel a day in study hall.

While working toward her teaching degree at EMC, she met a young gentleman who, after begging for a date, accepted her invitation to a youth conference at the First Baptist Church in Billings. When introducing him to the group she looked at him and said, "Oh . . . what's your name?" He was not deterred. In 1954, after a four-year courtship, Shirley married Gene Spildie at the Church where they had their first "date." Just a few years ago Gene courageously asked, "Why did you pick me to marry?" "Because I thought you'd make something of yourself." Shirley replied. "Oh! And you were cute!" she laughed.

During the first six years of their marriage Shirley and her growing family lived in six cities before the peripatetic Gene finally settled down. While her husband established his construction business, Shirley devoted herself to raising their three children. She was a wonderful mother, patient and giving. She was an artist, Den Mother, seamstress, Camp Fire Girl Leader, themed birthday party organizer and so much more.

Shirley was a natural teacher. She used her teaching degree in the Livingston and Billings areas and later provided a neighborhood kindergarten when it wasn't offered in Billings Schools. For many years she taught in the English Language Learners Program that was offered through First Baptist Church. She was able to work with non-English speaking people from all around the world. Shirley taught throughout her life with great finesse, patience and timing. The way she lived her life was our greatest lesson of all.

Gardening was another interest of Shirley's and she joined the Billings Thumb R Green Garden Club. Her passion for gardening and flower arranging blossomed into an informal career. She served on many committees and boards and received numerous awards and honors at the local, State and National levels. She was brilliant in her floral arrangements and became a Master Judge of Artistic Design. The role she enjoyed the most was that of Design Instructor through the National Garden Club. She dedicated herself to teaching, promoting and sharing the beauty and joy of flowers with people of all ages, from school children to those who aspired to judge design. She taught classes from La Jolla to Anchorage and everywhere in between in the West and a number of points east. She drove most of the distance in her own car, sometimes alone or accompanied by Gene or a friend. After traveling back and forth across Montana to judge flower shows she got a chuckle out of hearing her Eastern counterparts complain about having to drive a whole twenty-three miles to do the same. Shirley had a profound influence on many, many gardeners and designers throughout the United States.

Shirley's faith was strong and central to everything in her life. As a member of the First Baptist Church for over sixty years she served in countless capacities. She was on the diaconate, taught the Adult Sunday School Class for many years and participated in several circles. For the past thirty-two years Shirley also enjoyed creating the floral arrangements seen each Sunday by the members of the Church. We know her contributions will be missed. Thank you to all who traveled with her through her steady walk of faith. You were all so special to her.

The Friendship Circle Christmas Party, held this past Tuesday, was the last activity Shirley shared with her friends. She looked forward to it each year. It was truly one of her favorite gatherings.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Everett Wright and Wanda (Wright) Perdue; her two brothers, Chuck and Leroy Wright; and sister, Donna Nagel.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Gene Spildie; sister, Alice Grosgebauer (Ken) of Fort Worth, Texas; children, Duane Spildie (Theresa) of Lodge Grass, Mont., Roxanne Warne (Dave) of Billings, Lorene Tolbert (Bill) of Woodbury, Minn.; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 218 N. 34th St, Billings.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Billings Thumb R Green Garden Club, or to the Spildie/Warne Scholarship Endowment c/o MSU-B Foundation.

The family would like to commend all of the Billings 911 staff for their efficiency and kindness during this difficult time.

SHIRLEY SPILDIE--She was the prettiest girl in the West, yet she was a fine-textured, old- fashioned lady who believed in God, goodness and family. Hers was a sensitive soul, an old soul. A TREASURE LOST