Shirley Lynn Slatin

Shirley Trinkle Slatin, 90, wife of the late Dr. Gerald T. Slatin and whose oversized, round glasses and beautiful silver hair were her trademark, died August 5 in Lexington. Born in Hardinsburg, Indiana in 1934, to George and Olive Trinkle, Shirley received a B.A in Elementary Education from Indiana University.

Shirley and Jerry, her husband of 65 years, met at IU and married in 1956. They were happiest spending time together, whether it was watching an episode of Frasier or The Big Bang Theory, enjoying drinks on the patio or working in their yard. Our mother loved a good movie and for many years was more likely than most people half her age to have seen every Best Picture nominee before Oscar season rolled around. No generation gap ever kept her from being up on the latest pop culture; during his Purple Rain era, she told us if she were ever going to be a music star, she would want to be Prince. A true music lover, she was as fond of Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson as she was of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, and burst with pride as her two grandchildren developed into trained choral and opera singers.

Shirley's cooking and baking were legendary, and her generous spirit ensured that it was not only her family who got to enjoy the fruits of her talent. For decades, trays of Christmas cookies, fudge and toffee were annually dropped off to people who made a joyous difference in her life. She and Jerry made their December rounds to the doctor's and dentist's offices, the butcher's department and manager's desk at her Kroger, the hair salon (Timothy's in the Lansdowne Shoppes and later at Wellington Arms) and the homes of her beloved neighbors. Shirley's brownies were a staple at school parties, as was her chocolate brownie cake. She also excelled at creating superb entrees, lunches and breakfasts. Her spaghetti and meatballs, chicken salad and French toast live on through her children, grandchildren and all the friends with whom these recipes have been shared over the years.

Shirley worked as a first grade teacher for a few years before and after getting married, including in Indianapolis, Jacksonville, FL, and Bloomington, IN. But soon after her first child, Lisa, was born, she turned her attention to being a homemaker and mother. Shelly and Todd were born in the following years, and in the mid-1960s, Shirley and her family moved to Los Angeles for Jerry's job at UCLA. She loved the West Coast lifestyle and quickly became involved in many women's groups and neighborhood activities. Family photos from this period show a beautiful woman with a golden tan and plenty of L.A. style to spare when it came to her hair and fashion.

Shirley and Jerry moved back to this part of the country in 1970 to be closer to family in Indiana. Hoosiers to the core, they were devoted IU fans, even though Jerry was now a UK professor. Shirley enjoyed the university community and hosted many parties and dinners for her husband's colleagues and grad students over the years. She eventually returned to work outside the home at the university's Survey Research Center, where she became a valued supervisor who proved herself as adept at doing her job as she was at serving as mom-on-campus for the dozens of young workers in her charge.

Shirley retired in 1999 and devoted herself to helping take care of her first grandchild, Catarine, and in 2002, her second one, Harrison. Shirley and Jerry enjoyed sharing everything they loved with their grandkids: good restaurants, fabulous books, excellent music and lots of laughs.

Shirley was a quick wit who loved a good laugh. When her kids had a funny story to tell, she was often the first one they'd call, knowing what a kick she'd get out of it. Her small town upbringing in a close knit family taught her to appreciate the absurdities of life and its humor. Any gathering of the Trinkle clan was filled with great stories and loud laughter, with Shirley and her two older sisters, George Anne and Wanda, at the center.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, her husband (2021) and her eldest sister Wanda Taff (1999); She is survived by a son, Todd Slatin (Amy), daughters Lisa Slatin and Shelly Hancock (Chad), grandchildren Catarine and Harrison Hancock, and sister GeorgeAnne Fisher as well as many adored nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial will be held later this year. Memorial donations may be made to God's Pantry Food Bank, 2201 Innovation Drive, Lexington, KY 40511.