Shirley LaDue

Shirley Ann LaDue passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 27, 2025, at the age of 90.
She was born on January 6, 1935, in Upland Kansas, and was the fourth born daughter to Harry and Bertha Thomas. Her family moved to the Los Angeles area when she was two years old. She was a tomboy and could be found hiding in trees and beating up bullies. As an avid girl scout, she learned many things in scouting that served her throughout her life. She would rather be out with friends than sit in a classroom and got by at school with her outgoing personality and help from friends.
After high school, she went off on an adventure to the San Francisco area. She got a job there and she and her friends loved to go dancing after work. It was at one of these dances that she caught the eye of Larry LaDue. He never asked anyone to dance and refused to dance with any girls who asked him. One of his buddies encouraged Shirley to, "ask LaDue to dance". She accepted the challenge, and he happily accepted her invitation. He never danced with anyone but her. He was enchanted by her, but she only saw him as a good friend. His military assignment took him away from the bay area and they became great pen pals. Upon receipt of each letter, he would first look at the return address to see if her last name or address had changed. Included in one letter Shirley received was a signed picture saying, All My Love, Larry. This gave her pause and she began to think about their relationship. When he visited her on leave in December 1958, he asked for her hand and seven days later, they were wed in her parent's home.
It was while she was living in the bay area that her sister, Ilene, referred the missionaries to her and they introduced her to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had so many questions and wanted to be sure her testimony was solid before committing to baptism. As with so many things, she was deeply dedicated to learning and serving others in the gospel. She introduced Larry to the gospel and he was baptized within a year of their marriage.
Her most sought-after desire was to be a mother. This role didn't come easy, and so, when they were stationed in Florida, they decided to adopt. First came Robert and two years later Monique joined their family. They were so excited to find that nine months later, they were pregnant with twins, Terri and Teresa. The Air Force then sent their little family back to southern California where they were closer to extended family and then sent Larry to Vietnam. Shirley bravely cared for their family of four children under four years of age – three of whom weren't walking yet when Larry first left. Jill was welcomed a few years later to complete the family of seven.
As Shirley raised her family she accepted and excelled in the roles of Brownie/Girl Scout and 4-H leader. She also served in church callings and was completely committed to serving with all she had. She accepted a position as an instructional aide at the elementary school when the twins entered kindergarten. She loved teaching and tutoring the children and became quite proficient in helping children who struggled with reading. Helping the students overcome reading difficulties was a talent she developed, and she created a specialized reading program that she trained other aides and teachers to learn.
Her 20-year career ended so she could spend more time with the love of her life. She loved to build things with him, and he doted on all her requests to make their life better. In retirement their lives of service continued as they worked in the San Diego temple.
They relocated to Utah to be close to their daughters in 2005. And after Larry's passing in 2009, Shirley forged on to serve a mission and became an ordinance worker in the Mt. Timpanogos temple for 14 years. Her adventurous spirit never declined and she went sky-diving for her 80th birthday.
Shirley was honest with everyone and was never afraid to tell anyone how she felt. She kept every promise she made and expected the same from everyone else. She held no pretense and was completely dedicated to every undertaking.
Shirley is survived by one sister Ilene Bray Wiggins, her baby brother Carl Thomas, four daughters and their husbands: Monique Avery (Ken), Terri Smith (Troy), Teresa Peterson (Devon), and Jill Fulton (Paul). She has 10 grandchildren, Travis Shurtliff (McKenzie), Aaron Shurtliff, Adam Shurtliff (McCall), Robbie Shurtliff, Britney Wright (Jeremy), Lauren Boyd (Dallan), Emily Peterson, Jake Peterson, Tommy Fulton, and Sam Fulton, and her nine great-grandchildren who affectionately call her "Due-Due": Presley, Ryker, Cooper, Beckett, Hudson, Elle, Will, Aiden, and Sage.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Myrna and Audrey, her beloved husband Larry, and her son, Robert.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 7, 2025 at 10:00 am in the Morgan Ward Chapel, 163 East Ring Rd., Saratoga Springs, Utah. Interment will follow at 12 noon in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Camp Williams, Bluffdale, Utah.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.
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