Shirley Joyce Daly

Shirley Joyce Daly, a veritable force of nature with a flair for the dramatic and a heart as big as her personality, passed away March 8, 2025, in Canton, Michigan. Born on August 19, 1943, in Detroit, Shirley was a force of nature who could stitch together a life as masterfully as she could a fine garment. Her legacy is worn proudly by her family, each thread a tale of love, laughter, and the indomitable Shirley spirit.
Shirley's life was a tapestry of vibrant scenes, from the clothes she crafted with wizard-like skill to the unforgettable "Shirley experience" that left an imprint on everyone she met. She was a proud single mother who raised five children: Pamela (Brad Matheny) Jablonicky, James Jablonicky, Richard Hardyniec, Theresa (Dale Merrifield) Daly, Catherine (Eric) Ewald, and Caron (Chris) Tolstyka, and the matriarch to a troupe of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Jamie Jablonicky, April (Chaim) Kozak, Katelyn Jablonicky, Zakkary Hardyniec, Richard (Jessica) Hardyniec, Riana Hardyniec, Kyle (Tamra) Olsen, Sean (Abby) Ogle, Kaylie (Justin) Ogle, Kenneth Rouse II, Eric Ewald Jr., Tyler Ewald, Alexis (Chris) Boggus, Daniel, Danielle, Sidney Tolstyka, Reese Tolstyka, Madison Tolstyka, Emma, Jason, Jordan, Faith, Shane, Kennedy, Richard Jr., Jadyn, Zaden, Addalyn, Josephine, Lena, Matteo, Kenneth III, and Valentina. All who were her pride and joy. Her family was her greatest creation, each member a unique patch in the quilt of her life.
In the workshop of the world, Shirley was a renowned seamstress. She could eyeball an outfit in a magazine and replicate it with such finesse that the original would blush in comparison. Halloween was her time to shine, with costumes that transformed her grandkids into anything from ghouls to superheroes. And let's not forget that Barbie dreamhouse - a cardboard wonder that was the envy of the neighborhood.
Shirley was as independent as they come, a social butterfly with wings of steel. She'd tell you straight up, "I'm a whole show," and she wasn't kidding. To have a conversation with Shirley was to be swept up in an adventure, her big personality filling the room like a laugh track that never needed prompting. She lived life on her terms - proud, vain, and feisty, with a knack for sensing mischief from a mile away.
As a proud single mother, Shirley didn't just raise her children; she raised a standard. She was the queen of the comeback, batting away "I can't" with a resounding "YOU CAN!" Her upbringing wasn't a fairy tale, but she spun her own story, teaching her kids to be kind, because you never know the battles others are facing. She worked tirelessly to give her family the everything she didn't have, and boy, did she deliver.
Cooking was another stage where Shirley shone. She could whip up a feast from scraps, her kitchen a haven where the menu was "Whatever Shirley's Cooking," and the servings were as generous as her heart. Her family was her audience, and she loved every one of them, playing a unique role in each of their lives, nurturing them with food, love, and the kind of wisdom that only Shirley could serve.
Shirley's spirit was a beacon that never dimmed. Even as the years ticked by, her zest for life remained as fierce as her belief that everything would work out. And it usually did, thanks to her uncanny luck and life's "little blessings" that seemed to follow her like a spotlight.
To describe Shirley, one would need a dictionary of joy: loving, creative, generous. She was the epitome of fun, excitement, love, and family togetherness. Friends became family in Shirley's world, a testament to her open heart and the warmth of her embrace.
Shirley Joyce Daly would have wanted us to remember the laughter, the outfits, and the love she stitched into our lives. Her spirit, as fierce and loving as ever, will continue to guide us, reminding us that in the grand production of life, we can and we will, just as Shirley believed. The best parts of Shirley will live on in her family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the North American Indian Association of Detroit.