Shirley Kaiser

Shirley Jean Kaiser (Davenport), age 93, passed away on April 29, 2025, after a short hospitalization. Shirley was born on April 19, 1932, in Spokane, Washington, the ninth of ten children of Gordon Davenport and Hilda Sebo. She was the last surviving sibling among five brothers and four sisters.

Shirley graduated from Lewis & Clark High School, Class of 1950. Following in the footsteps of her father and siblings, she began working for "the phone company." In June 1955, she married Daniel Kaiser and moved to California, returning to Seattle in 1960, where they enjoyed countless dinners and gatherings with her beloved siblings.

Shirley raised three children, learned to drive, and volunteered enthusiastically for every Mercer Island PTA activity she could. She later returned to work at "the phone company" where she ultimately retired in 2000. Throughout her life, Shirley found joy in card making, crafting, church activities, and her grandchildren. She thrived in her Spiritridge Townhome community, proudly serving as a "social committee of one." In her retirement, she loved catering parties - there wasn't a recipe she wouldn't happily share or an event she didn't bring a special "goody".

Later, Shirley resided at The Gardens at Town Square, where she made new friends, volunteered wherever she could, and continued her beloved tradition of sending cards to family and friends. As her memory declined, she spent her final two years at The Golden Age Retirement Home in Woodinville, lovingly cared for by Winnie and Ani. Thank you to the staff at Overlake Hospital 4W and Evergreen Health Hospice for making her last days comfortable.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and all nine of her siblings: Dorothy Martin, Bob Davenport, Winifred Hickey, Ed Davenport, Glenn Davenport, Gordon Davenport Jr., William Davenport, Betty Berry, and Marilyn Olsen, as well as two nephews and three nieces.

She will be deeply missed by her children: Cary Lynn Bright (Rory), Kim Kaiser (Lori), and Chris Kaiser (Cathy); her three grandchildren: Aaron, Kelsey (Betsy), and Corinne (Tyler); her great-grandchild; seventeen Davenport nieces and nephews and their extended families; and her dear Craft Group and Coffee Group friends.

We are forever grateful that Shirley lived each day to its fullest, loved us unconditionally, and never forgot to send us home with helpful tips - and Tupperware - after every visit.

Shirley's "Grand Finale" Memorial Service will be held on Monday, June 9, at 2:00 PM at Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave SE, Mercer Island, Washington 98040. She will be inurned in the church's Remembrance Garden.

In Shirley's memory, we invite you to send a card to a friend or bring a "goody" to your next gathering - a small tribute to a well-lived life and the beautiful memories she leaves behind.