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Shirley Dornan Obituary
July 21, 1934 - November 25, 2011
Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Shirley passed away the 25th of November surrounded by family in Colorado Springs, CO. She is survived by her sons Brian, Donald Jr., Kevin, Matthew and James and six loving grandchildren: Conor, Shanea, Meghan, Breann, Erin and Colleen.
Born on the 21st of July 1934 in Oakland CA, she was the 4th of 10 children of Stuart and Albertine Armstrong. After graduating as the valedictorian of Livermore High School class of 1951, Shirley attended Providence School of Nursing on a scholarship. She graduated in 1955 and moved to Southern California where she began a long and distinguished nursing career.
While raising her five sons, Shirley worked as a Registered Nurse at the UCLA Medical Center. She later became the nursing supervisor on the night shift. In 1979, she became the Nurse Manager of the acute care surgical unit, which served various surgical specialties. In 1984, she participated in the planning and implementation of the new liver transplant service, the first such service on the West Coast. Shirley was awarded the first Management Nurse of the Year award by the UCLA Department of Nursing. She then became the Nurse Manager of the Surgery Clinic at UCLA Medical Center until her retirement in 1993. Her legacy of service at the UCLA Medical Center Department of Nursing was marked by a total dedication to quality care, patient advocacy and collaboration with health team members.
Following retirement in 1993, Shirley and her husband Don of 51 years retired to Nevada's Carson Valley. Shirley touched the lives of many people in her personal and professional life. Her strength of character and total love and dedication to God and family were an inspiration to all who had the good fortune to know her.
Services will be held on Saturday, December 10th at 11:30 am at the Chapel of the Risen Christ, Holy Cross Cemetery, 5835 West Slauson Avenue in Culver City.
The family requests in lieu of flowers that a donation be made in Shirley's memory to:
Alaska Radio Mission
Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska
ATTN: Alaskan Shepherd Office
1312 Peger Rd
Fairbanks, AK 99709-5199
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Shirley Dornan
Maura Caddell
December 19, 2011
To all the Dornans,
We were so sorry to hear about Shirley's death - especially so soon after Don's. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We wish you peace and many happy memories of these two special people throughout the holidays and years to come.
Maura McFadden Caddell
(Don & Sheila's daughter)
Stuart Rosebrook
December 14, 2011
Dear Dornan Family: Julie, Jeb, Kristina and I send our love and prayers to all of you. Brian, Don, Kevin, Matt, and Jim, you are my brothers, and I love you, and your families. Your Mom Shirley was like another mother to my sister Katherine and me, and we were so blessed to have her, and your father, Don, as loving guideposts growing up. God brought three families together in Los Angeles in the early 1960s, the Dornans, the Navons, and the Rosebrooks, and the blessings cannot be measured. I remain grateful for your Mom's constant presence through faith, she is a role model for all of us in her strong Catholic faith and determined strength and commitment to family and generosity to friends. With all our love and prayers this Christmas, Stuart Rosebrook
dorothy rosebrook
December 9, 2011
Dear Dornan's All, Your Shirley was one of kind that God gave us. She was a jewel in this world. Many girlfriends in my life.....but none compared to Shirley in honor,love,devotion,family,beauty,caring and sense of humor(which she had to have to be in the Dornan Family)I know she is one of the angels looking down on all. Love and hugs to each wonderful Dornan Dorothy and Jeb
Shirley Panek
December 9, 2011
Matt - I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time.
Molly Choate
December 8, 2011
To the sons of Shirl Dornan, Your mother was a wonderful woman. Though it may not have seemed like it to you, since we didn't get together often, she was a very important member of the extended Armstrong family. When she was coming for a visit it would cause great excitement for her parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews. She will be missed by all of us that are left to mourn her, but just imagine the reunion that is taking place in heaven. See you all on Saturday. Love, Aunt Molly
December 8, 2011
To Matt, Hank and I are so sorry to hear about your Mother's passing. May all your memories help to ease the pain of loss of your Mother and Father. Know that they are together again. Sincerely, Marilyn Copeland (Palm Beach Gardens FL)
Gina Tafarella
December 7, 2011
To Brian and his family,
I am so sorry to learn of Shirley's passing. She was such an inspiration to me. As you know, she was my 1st boss at UCLA when I was a brand new nurse. She taught me everything I know about nursing. Most of all, compassion and dedication. Not to mention, I was her favorite!!! She used to call me her "adopted daughter." I told my brother Dean and he said to please send his condolences. I will be at the memorial service, so I will get your number for Dean. God rest our mother's souls.
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