Shirley Jean Howie

Shirley Jean (Welsh) Howie passed away on October 16, 2025. She was born on October 1, 1923, to James Willard and Pearl (McKee) Welsh in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
After high school Shirley attended secretarial school in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and during World War II, worked for the FBI in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and later Detroit, Michigan. In Sault Ste. Marie after World War II, she worked for the Sault School System and then at Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, retiring in 1985.
Shirley married J. Matthew Howie on August 1, 1945, in Sault Ste. Marie. They had four children, Margaret A. O'Gorman of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Joseph M. Howie of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, James W. (Debra) Howie of Sault Ste. Marie, and John R. (Paula Andrasi) of Three Rivers Michigan; grandchildren, Douglas M. Howie of Dallas Texas, Steven Howie of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Scott Howie of Bartlesville, Catherine Maxwell of Bartlesville OK, David O'Gorman of Spokane Washington, M. Hilary Amando of Florianopolis, Brazil, Rebecca Trimbath of Gover Beach California, James O'Gorman of Big Rapids Michigan, and Sarah Andrasi Howie of Three Rivers; great-grandchildren, Gabriel Trimath, Patrick Trimath, Aira Amado, Dylan Amado, Sabina O'Gorman, Hana O'Gorman, Carlie Maxwell, Kelton Massara, Kinslee Sparks, Ava Howie, Barrett Howie, James Howie, Marley Fugett, Kit O'Gorman, Asher O'Gorman, and one great-great grandson, Jetson Trey Cruz Kitchel.
For many years Shirley made her home on the shores of Whitefish Bay living in the house she helped build. It was the scene of many happy family gatherings and holidays which invariably included such all-time family favorite recipes as vinegar tarts or refrigerator oatmeal cookies. Her blueberry pancakes and pies using blueberries picked that day from the bluff overlooking the lake were unmatched by any using commercial blueberries. She looked forward to looking for arbutus in the nearby woods each spring.
Shirley enjoyed the magnificent view of Lake Superior and how it changed from season to season and day to day, and enjoyed being by the water, whether it was sitting on the bench at Pendills Creek on Whitefish Bay or watching the freighters while having a Clyde's hamburger while parked on Rotary Island.
Shirley had a wide range of interests, including sewing, knitting, bridge, and reading, and considered herself a student of the Course in Miracles. She was active in Brimley and county homemakers' associations, and was a member of the Michigan Association of Family & Community Education and Lake Superior Elders. She helped organize movie day at the library and had many informal movie gatherings at her home.
Until Covid hit, Shirley was taking water exercise class three times and week, and until her 100th birthday she lived in a second-floor apartment where she lived basically unassisted. For the last two years she lived at McKinley Manor which had lovely facilities and simply incredible, caring staff who were a great comfort to her and her family during her stay there. The North Woods Home Care and Hospice also provided excellent end-of-life care during her last months.
She was preceded in death by her husband, J. Matthew Howie; parents, Willard and Pearl Welsh; sister, Anne Barnes; brothers, Jack (Margie) Welsh and Richard (Ruth) Welsh; and nephew, Richard Welsh.
There will be a celebration of life held in her honor by the family at a later date.
Shirley supported the work done by the Salvation Army, 220 Osborn Blvd. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, and donations can be made to them in memory of her.
Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
Obituary as submitted by family.