Shirley Ann Dow

Shirley Ann Dow, a beacon of love and optimism, left this world as gracefully as she lived in it, passing away from natural causes on May 9, 2025, at the age of 90. Born on July 1, 1934, Shirley was the cherished daughter of the late Stephen and Ruth Gaylord. She was the beloved wife of the late Jim Tockey and the late Jack Dow, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, whose joy and kindness touched everyone she met. Shirley's life was filled with threads of family, love, adventure, laughter, art, and an unwavering faith in God. Her commitment to her family was unparalleled. She is survived by her adoring family: daughter Janice Magallanes and son-in-law Randy, son Ken Tockey and daughter-in-law Linda, as well as her treasured grandchildren Heather Merrihew, her husband Jason, and Jim Tockey. Shirley's legacy of love extends to her great-granddaughter Saiah Bright and her husband Lawson, great-grandson Craig Merrihew, and great-great-granddaughter Bria Bright, all of whom brought immense joy to her life. Shirley enjoyed her life to the fullest. Raising her family with Jim, they were often found camping, laughing and living life to the fullest together. Shirley was a loving and committed wife, mother and daughter. After the passing of her husband Jim, she met and married her second husband Jack, and together they enjoyed traveling to England, wine tasting, attending the Ashland Shakespeare Festival, and visiting family together. Shirley enjoyed the beauty of God's creation and was a wonderful watercolor artist, curated a vast and beautiful array of flowers in her gardens and enjoyed going to classical concerts. To know Shirley was to know love. She was the embodiment of faith, her trust in the Lord an unshakable foundation that guided her through life's storms and sunrises. She taught us to see the beauty in the everyday, to find joy in the simple pleasures, and to hold onto faith through the challenges we face. Shirley's life was a celebration of the human spirit, a journey of love, art, and the pursuit of happiness. Shirley Ann Dow's story is not one of sorrow, but a celebration of a life beautifully lived and a reminder to cherish every moment as she so joyfully did. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Shirley, please visit our Tree Store.