Shirley Joan Pierson

Our amazing mom, Shirley Pierson passed away at home in Milwaukie, OR surrounded by her family. She was an intelligent, kind, and gentle mom who was always there when we needed her the most, offering abundant wisdom, support, and unconditional love. Her entire life was focused on the happiness and comfort of those around her.

Mom was born in Portland, OR to Francis and Helen Carsner and was raised by her beloved maternal grandparents Jack and Millie Petrjanos. She attended St. Agatha grade school and Cleveland High School where she met the love of her life, our dad Norman Pierson. They married in 1956 after Mom completed her OHSU medical training and Dad graduated from Oregon State College.

Mom and Dad started their family in the late 1950's with the joyful arrival of their son, adding two wiggly daughters a few years later and eventually settling in Milwaukie, OR. Mom was especially proud of her then four-year-old son after he skillfully installed their new home's doorbell!

Pausing her medical career as an x-ray technician, Mom focused her energy on enjoying and loving her family. She organized many fun family vacations at the Oregon Coast, Glacier National Park, Mount St. Helens, and Disneyland. Mom was a talented artist sewing beautiful clothes and knitting toasty throws and scarves all with a special touch for each recipient of her treasured keepsakes. With her steady determination, it seemed that Mom could accomplish just about anything until Dad, with his joking manner claimed Mom "couldn't boil water without burning it!" Mom with her sense of humor and grace admitted this was not far from the truth and over time honed her cooking skills and dazzled us with her wonderful holiday meals and chocolate chip cookies. Mom's holiday specialty was a delicious apple pie recipe passed down from her Czech grandma. Mom ensured, over multiple "training sessions" that her daughter-in-law Barb mastered the pie recipe so the family tradition would continue. Mom was also an avid basketball fan and faithfully spent many game days encouraging her oldest daughter to "shoot for two!"

Of course, good times are often accompanied by challenging moments. Mom revealed her unwavering faith and determination when she led her relatively young family out of the dark and into the light after she beat ovarian cancer and two years later overcame the tragic death of her young husband, Norm. Amazingly, Mom never missed a beat but we realized she loved and missed our dad forever.

Mom busied herself working as an impeccable secretary and bookkeeper, organizing multiple class reunions (including her 70th!), and reconnecting with longtime friends. Her friends (some affectionately known as the Party Girls!) brought Mom so much joy. She and her best friend, Patricia travelled throughout the US and world - from enjoying Broadway plays in New York City to sipping wine while floating on China's Yangtze River. An especially meaningful vacation with her youngest daughter included riding a camel in Egypt. What a pair!

Mom was always ready for adventure and also content at home as long as friends, family, and a good book were involved. She loved all of us intensely and dearly and we will miss her wit, wry smile, and beautiful blue eyes.

Shirley is survived by son Cary (Joan); two daughters Suzanne (Barbara) and Michelle; grandson Jeffrey; half brother Roger; and beloved pup Joey. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Norman Pierson.

Memorial Mass will be held at 11am, October 10, 2025 at St. Agatha Catholic Church. You may donate in Shirley's honor to Dogs for Better Lives (https://dogsforbetterlives.org/) Central Point, OR.