Shirley Lewis Obituary

Shirley Lewis
Sep. 12 1933 - Oct. 8, 2017
San Jose
Shirley Lewis passed away on the evening of October 8th in her San Jose home, surrounded by family.
Shirley balanced family, personal, and professional life with an almost incomprehensible grace. She loved good food, fine wine, and traveling.
A lifetime resident of San Jose, she was one of the city's greatest proponents. Throughout the years she worked in city planning, held offices in local politics, and was a proud member and president of the Rotary Club of San Jose, among many other influential positions.
An avid cook, Shirley not only hosted family dinners for every major holiday, but also a yearly charity dinner that frequently pulled in thousands of dollars.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Lewis. She is survived by her six children, seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and one sister.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate her life from 2PM-5PM on October 29th at History Park. Please RSVP by emailing [email protected]
In lieu of gifts or flowers feel free to give to one her favorite charities/organizations in her honor:
Symphony Of Silicon Valley
The Sharks Foundation
Rotary Club of San Jose Foundation
Please call 408-297-6100 or mail a check to
1690 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95112

View the online memorial for Shirley Lewis

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Oct. 14, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Shirley Lewis

Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.

11 Entries

Philip Stromer

June 25, 2023

I knew Shirley through her daughters Cheryl and Michelle who I knew as neighbors. Shirley even helped plant trees on the divider on Berryessa Road around 1981, I was impressed that an elected official cared so much. Belated condolences to her family, I miss San Jose.

Kent Stokesberry

November 8, 2017

Shirley and her first family lived on San Pablo Ave. at the intersection of Selby Lane where I grew up. If it wasn't playing in their converted garage or a neighborhood baseball game and numerous functions at St. Victors Church with Scott & Cathy, I have fond memories as she was always kind.What a nice family. As time moved forward so did us all.

I have nothing but good things to always remember about this hard working person and family. The Stokesberry Family offers their belated heart felt condolences to this awesome person. Rest in peace Mrs. Yaeger as I knew you.

Kent Stokesberry

November 6, 2017

We First met Shirley in October 1968. We worked together in the City Of San Jose. Shirley and My wife Judy operated a Sandwich Shop called "Our Place" on third street. Shirley went on to work in the field of gerontology with the California Commission on Aging. She was a visionary, an idea person, and a great cook. judy and I opened a restaurant in Gilroy in 1974. Some of the desserts on the menu came from Shirley recipe's. We cooked with Shirley at a church retreat. When she called for a break, we met in the refrigerated walk in box for a glass of wine. What a wonderful career she had and great children.

Sam and Judy Bozzo Gilroy.

Maggi Scura

October 22, 2017

Well said, Dan Orloff. I have lasting memories of Shirley's years in office, and the grace and warmth with which she carried out her duties, and communicated with those of us in local media. In her post-politics years, I would often encounter her at various events. She would always make a point of extolling the virtues of the arts in our community. She lived what she preached in that regard, with her tireless support of artistic, and really all community events. A truly lovely woman, who is greatly missed.

My condolences and prayers to her family.

Diane Renna

October 16, 2017

I worked with Shirley at Old Republic Title Co. for many years. I will forever miss her great smile and her tireless energy !
You are in my thoughts and prayers...

Sheri Frumkin

October 15, 2017

Shirley was a mentor to me at San Jose Symphony. She was generous of heart and soul. I remember her giving a birthday gift to every employee at the Symphony making each feel so special.

October 15, 2017

My name is Penny and I am friends with Shirleys daughter Cathy. I am so sorry to hear of Shirleys passing. She really was a dynamo and I loved her energy. She and Ed were always so full of energy and I felt like a part of their family. Rest In Peace, Shirley!

Debra James

October 15, 2017

Our deepest sympathies for the family. It was a pleasure to have known her, a great lady full of grace and style. I feel lucky to have some of her recipies! Love Lee & Debi James

EMILY CORRAL

October 14, 2017

i have known Shirley since we were students at Notre Dame High School, San Jose. She graduated in the Class of 1950. She attended San Jose State University and was an active member of Alpha Omicron Pi National Sorority.
A few years ago, Shirley was named a "Notre Dam High School 'Woman of Impact" honoring her for her efforts in making San Jose an outstanding City.

May She Rest in Eternal Peace!

EMILY LIPPOLIS CORRAL

October 14, 2017

My deepest sympathies to Shirley's family and friends. God promises to comfort us in all our trials and He will comfort you and help you endure this difficult time.

Dan Orloff

October 14, 2017

Feeling deep sadness having learned of Shirley Lewis' passing. She embodied the best of San Jose and Rotarians. While always a formidable force, she had an uncanny knack of respect for opposing positions and a remarkable knack of building positive public sentiment.

I had the opportunity to work under her leadership when she was a San Jose councilperson and I was as a marketing officer for the City of San Jose. A few years later, I was honored to have her as one of my ad/or agency clients when she was CEO of the San Jose Symphony. Speaking of the symphony, Shirley always got a kick when I would walk into the Symphony's offices, walk right past the receptionist and into the staff lounge to help myself to a donut, on my way to another meeting in a nearby building.

For those who did not know Shirley but have had some contact with San Jose, in particular its downtown, Shirley worked right alongside mayors Tom McEnery and Susan Hammer as a councilwoman from 1980 to 1992. So, if you're one of the millions of people who have attended events at SAP Center, or enjoy many of the new parks, restaurants, and office buildings in downtown San Jose, or appreciate the fact that there's Highway 85 connecting South San Jose to the downtown, then you have Shirley to thank. And lastly, Shirley was one of the visionaries, and the president of the Rotary Club that I'm a member of, who helped lead the effort to raise the funds to build the immensely popular Rotary Play Garden in Guadalupe River Park in downtown San Jose.

RIP Shirley.

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