Shirley Marie Kehoe

~Lovingly written by the family~

Shirley Marie Kehoe

October 2, 1924 – August 26, 2025

KEHOE, Shirley Marie - of Almont, Michigan, formerly of Warren, Michigan, age 100, passed away peacefully in her home on August 26, 2025. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at AJ Desmond and Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road, Troy, MI. Interment immediately following the service in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, MI. The family will receive visitors 2-8 PM Tuesday, September 2, 2025 and 10:30-11 AM Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at AJ Desmond and Sons Funeral Home.

Shirley was born in Detroit, MI on October 2, 1924 to the late Rudolph and Mary (Franklin) Gowatch. She grew up, the oldest of 3 with 2 younger brothers whom she remained close with throughout her life. Shirley's century on earth was woven through with some of history's most defining events. Born in the aftermath of World War I and the lead-up to the Great Depression, she grew up during hard times and came of age in the shadow of World War II. Like many of her generation, she stepped up in a time of national need, contributing on the home front during the war effort. She would often share stories with her grandchildren about how tough times were during the depression and how they had to use cereal box cardboard to line their shoes because they had no money to buy new shoes. Possibly because of this life experience, Shirley never held onto money for long as she was often the one giving it away to her family and any person in need. She had the most generous heart.

Prior to being shipped off to war, her beau and future husband, John E. Kehoe, Sr., proposed. When he returned from battle, they married on August 11, 1945 and shared over 46 wonderful years of marriage. Together, they built a home grounded in faith, family, and mutual devotion. Though John Sr. passed in 1991, his memory remained ever-present in Shirley's heart.

Just weeks shy of her 101 birthday, Shirley filled her years with many hobbies and time spent with family. While history moved around her, Shirley found joy in the simple, beautiful things of everyday life. She was opinionated, witty, and never afraid to speak her mind-traits that endeared her to those who knew her best. She enjoyed singing, even singing on the radio as a child. Her favorite song being Somewhere Over the Rainbow. She was also an avid bowler and a graceful roller-skater in her younger years.

Later in life, she found peace in the quietness of her home, where she created beauty with her own hands. Shirley was a gifted seamstress and a talented doll maker, lovingly crafting porcelain dolls and designing countless Halloween costumes over the years. Her creations were treasured by her family and a testament to her patience, precision, and creativity.

She was affectionately known as "Little Grandma" to her great-grandchildren-a name spoken with love and warmth by the generations that followed her. She helped babysit several and rocked ALL of them while softly singing lullabies and patting their little diapered bottoms. For many years, she enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at the many sporting events they participated in and was the famous macaroni salad maker for hundreds of horse show potlucks!

Shirley's legacy is one of strength, creativity, honesty, and deep love for her family. She was the kind of person who made each life she touched a little bit brighter-and certainly more interesting.

Shirley lived 100 years with heart, humor, and purpose. She will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.

Shirley is survived by her brother, Robert Gowatch, Sr., children, John E. (Nancy) Kehoe, Jr., Cynthia (Gary) Groesbeck; grandchildren, Jennifer (Dave) Quinn, Sarah (Kris) Sugg, Amy (Steve) Delong, Jason (Lauren) Krajenta, James (Laura) Krajenta, Emily (Robert) Sarka and Rebecca Groesbeck; great-grandchildren, David Quinn, Tyler Delong, Autumn Quinn, Mallory Quinn, Meghan Delong, Makena Sugg, Jacob Krajenta, Kristoffer Sugg, Alivia Krajenta, Emma Sugg, Charlotte Krajenta, Isla Sugg, Joseph Krajenta, Madalyn Krajenta, Connor Sarka, Samantha Sugg, Olivia Sugg, Ava Sarka and Joshua Krajenta; and many other loving family members and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph and Mary (Franklin) Gowatch, her daughter, Beverly Groesbeck, her brother, Raymond Gowatch, her sisters-in-law, Patricia Gowatch and Barbara Gowatch.