Shirley Schwertmann
1926 - 2018
Shirley Schwertmann
1926 - 2018
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1926
DIED
2018
Shirley Schwertmann Obituary
June 24, 1926 - Aug. 18, 2018
Lover of family, dance, song and chocolate, Shirley Schwertmann died peacefully Aug. 18, 2018, of natural causes. She was 92.
Shirley lived a full life. She was born June 24, 1926 In Alliance, Neb., to Marvin and Geraldine Langford, oldest of five children. The family lived in town, but she remembered spending happy hours as a young girl playing on her extended family's farm.
She moved with her family to Oregon and settled in Salem. Shirley attended Salem High School, where she sang in the choir and acted in plays. Away from school, she participated in summer stock theatre and sang in groups that performed around Salem.
After graduation, she moved to Southern California, where she studied design, went to work in an interior design shop and continued to sing as part of blues groups and in big bands.
She remained in California for three and a half years. Returning to Oregon to visit family, she met and married Paul Schwertmann, a World War II veteran. They lived in Southeast Portland and on Sunnyside Road in Clackamas, where they raised two daughters on three acres that included a pasture for two horses. She always was involved in her girls' lives. She served as PTA president.
After divorcing, Shirley co-owned two interior design and art shops. She took up ballroom dancing and had several long-term relationships. She enjoyed life on her terms.
She was a strong and independent woman. But family always came first. She made room for her grandchildren when they needed an extended place to live. She was quick to help and to give advice. In all ways she was the family matriarch.
Shirley is survived by her brother, Monte (Rebecca) Langford; sister, Lynne Langford; daughters, Christy (Ken) Goe and Lori Langford (Niko Papadimas); six grandchildren; eight great-grandchilden; and one great-great-grandchild. She was predeceased by her parents; and sisters, Donna Largent and Joyce Bolles.
Shirley's full and active life will be celebrated at 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, at Sunnyside Little Chapel of the Chimes.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Bonnie Rawson
September 12, 2018
Shirley was a much-loved and much-revered friend to our mother, and to our family, in general - Shirley was gracious, forthright, direct - She was UNAFRAID - Shirley would not be cowed - by anyone, or anything - Shirley would defend the undefended - Shirley never flinched, from doing those things, that needed to be done, or those things, which needed to be said, at the most critically-important times - It was personally, very inspiring, to me - I watched her stand up, and she made a tremendous difference - Shirley believed in the cause of right, and the cause of FAIRNESS, for EVERYONE - Shirley was a staunch defender, of all that is good, and right, in this world - She was an unflagging and indefatigable , loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother - She was quick-witted, industrious, and had many abilities - Shirley had many fine personal qualities, too, that endeared her to so many - Shirley had high ideals, that she upheld, and instilled those ideals - Lori and Christy are shining examples of their mother's sound upbringing - When someone of Shirley's caliber passes (from the Greatest Generation) we're all collectively, poorer, for it - Shirley was a Role Model, to other people's children, as well - It turns out, it really does take a village, to raise a child - Shirley was one such Villager! We'd all do well to instill the morals and good values that Shirley demonstrated, in the subsequent generations - She'll be fondly remembered for those wonderful personal qualities she had, and for the strength of character she had - I feel fortunate that she was not only a dear, much-valued friend to our mother, but to our family, in general. Shirley will be sorely missed, but always in our hearts, and in our minds.
Bonnie Rawson
September 12, 2018
Shirley was a dearly loved, and much revered friend to our mother, and to our family, in general - Shirley was forthright, gracious, direct, and refused to accept unfairness, of any kind - For ANYONE - She was UNAFRAID - She would defend the undefended - She never flinched from doing those things, that needed to be done, and from saying those things, that needed to be said, at the most critical times - I watched her stand up, and she was never cowed - It was personally, very inspiring to me - She upheld the highest ideals that she had - She was roundly admired, for those high ideals - Shirley was a staunch defender of all that was good, and right, in this world, and utterly believed in fairness, for all - she had many superlative personal qualities, that endeared her, to so many - She was an unflagging, and indefatigable, loving, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother - She always set fine examples of how we should treat one another - with respect and courtesy - When someone of Shirley's caliber, (from the Greatest Generation) passes, we, collectively are the poorer, for it - Shirley was truly an inclusive person - She was a Role Model - Shirley prioritized those things that matter the most in life - rearing good children - Lori and Christy, are shining examples of their good upbringing - Shirley will be fondly remembered for her quick-wittedness, her many abilities, her stellar personal qualities - She set good examples for other peoples children, as well - It turns out, it really does take a village, to raise a child - Shirley Schwertmann was one such Villager! We'd all do well, to similarly behave, as Shirley did, and instill good morals and the good values that Shirley instilled, in the subsequent generations. I feel fortunate for our mother, and our family, in general, to have had such a friend as Shirley Schwertmann - Always in our hearts and minds -
Bonnie Rawson
September 12, 2018
Shirley was a life-long, wonderful friend, to our mother and family - Our mom met Shirley, in the maternity ward, of the hospital, where Shirley's wonderful daughter, Lori, was born twelve hours, before me! A long time friendship ensued! Shirley was a stalwart, stand-up friend, and sage advice-giver, and mothered other people's children, (myself) and could be counted upon to demonstrate her gravitas, moral courage, moral compass, ethics, bedrock human decency, abundant scruples, joie de vivre, compassion for those that weren't so fortunate - Too many superlatives to litany here - Quick-witted, trenchant sense of humor, could (adroitly) give grace to any situation - She will be sorely missed, by all those who knew her - A Mom for the ages!!!!
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Linda Macpherson
September 3, 2018
Shirley was a dear friend. She provided design advice to our family for many years. She was caring and she was spunky. I am so sorry we were not in touch in recent years.
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