Shirley A. Mendes

Shirley Ann Mendes (affectionately known by many as "Sam"), 81, was called home to our Lord and Savior on June 12, 2025, at her home in Hanford, surrounded by her children and loving husband. She was born on August 13, 1943, in Merced. As a military family (her father served in the Army), they moved to Laton during her senior year, where she would graduate, meet the love of her life, Robert Mendes (Bob), and marry on August 24, 1963. Shirley was selfless, caring, and dedicated to her family, her friends, and her faith.
Shirley began working at 18 to help provide for her family and accumulated over 40 years of employment, including positions at the Employment Development Department, Armstrong Tire Plant, Crocker Bank, Director of the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, the City of Hanford, and Avenal State Prison as a PIA Industrial Supervisor. Despite her extensive years of service and a well-deserved retirement, Shirley continued to be drawn to giving of herself. She began volunteering with the CVGH Auxiliary in the gift shop at Adventist Health, in addition to her involvement with the Catholic Daughters. However, her most important and greatest job in life was being a mom, "Vava," and "Vi vavvy" to her 5 children, 7 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.
Shirley was also a vivacious learner who grew up with very little but learned valuable lessons about the importance of hard work, dedication, and commitment to family. Her greatest passion remained her family and her devotion to her husband of 62 years, as well as her children. Shirley was beloved by family and friends alike, possessing the uncanny ability to strike up a conversation with anyone and make them feel like a long-lost family member. She had a wonderful wit that could make anyone laugh. She enjoyed playing card games, watching movies, traveling, her monthly luncheons and shopping sprees with her "whoop whoop" gals, as well as cookouts/BBQs and dinners out. She especially loved the family coast trips.
Shirley was also a phenomenal cook and baker who loved tending to her flowers. She and Bob were well-known for dropping off homemade baked goods and sharing fresh produce from their garden with family and friends. Shirley will forever leave a void in her family's lives that can never be replaced, but they are left with her love, blessings, and memories that will never be forgotten.
Shirely was preceded in death by her parents Jack and Hazel LaFlure, her younger sisters Charlotte Bryant, and Dee Wells, her oldest child Robert Mendes Jr. ("Rob"), and grandchild Inez Cruz, in addition to son in law Freddie Franco. She is survived by her husband Bob Mendes, her children Kimberly Cruz (spouse Armand). Kellie Phelps (spouse Kenny). In addition to Danielle Franco and Nichole Mendes. Grandchildren Bhrittney Phillips and Kylie Pacheco, AJ and Roman Cruz, Reuben and Amber Mendes. And Great grandchildren Haidyn, Jordin, and JJ Phillips and Robbin Pacheco.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday June 18, 2025, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Laton, California from 4-6pm and a Rosary service immediately following at 6 pm. On Thursday June 19, 2025, a Funeral mass will be held at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima at 10:00am with a reception following at 11:00am at the Fraternal Hall in Hanford, California.
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