Shirley June Gingerich

Shirley June Gingerich

March 16, 1942 - March 30, 2024

ALBANY - Shirley June Gingerich, 82, of Albany passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024. Shirley was born March 16, 1942 to Mary (Bertha) and Ira E. Baker at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene, Oregon.

She was raised in the farming community of Harrisburg, Oregon. She married Norman Gingerich on December 14,1960. Her son, Troy was born in August of 1965, her daughter Sharlene was born in December of 1966. Shirley recounted many times to her children how happy she was to have become a mother. The Gingerich family moved to Junction City in 1980. Shirley later lived in Eugene from 1994 to 2014, then to Mennonite Village in Albany until her passing.

Shirley was a devout follower of Jesus, she loved the Lord with her whole heart. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife and mother. Shirley drove a school bus and was a janitor for Harris Elementary School, was a CNA, an office manager For Dr. Huff in Junction City and later caregiving in private homes as well as for hospice. Shirley had a passion for serving others and she did so with joy and love. She adored children and rarely passed one without saying hello.

Shirley greatly enjoyed gardening, her yard was filled with beautiful flowers and shrubs. She also kept a large vegetable garden, putting up vegetables and fruit for the winter. She also had a talent for drawing, in earlier years she enjoyed using her artistic abilities with oil based painting of landscapes and flowers. Shirley loved to sing and for several years joined a troupe singing and dancing at the Scandinavian Festival in Junction City.

She is survived by her son Troy Gingerich of Sweet Home, grandchildren: Rachel Gingerich of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Aaron Gingerich of Spokane, WA, Moriah Gingerich of Bend, Bethany (Josiah) Schmidt of Irvine, CA, Valeri Gingerich of Junction City, daughter Sharlene Campbell of Tigard, OR, grandchildren: Sophia (Josiah) Pilskalns, great granddaughter Yael Pilskalns of Salt Lake City, UT, grandson Nathan Campbell of Bremerton, WA, brother Richard (Arlene) Baker of Harrisburg, sister JoAnne (Pieter) Bos of Lebanon and many dear nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband Norman Gingerich (1999), father Ira "Bud" Baker (1999), mother Mary B. Baker (2001) and sister Carolyn Ulrich (2023).

Memorial service will be held at a later date. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com