Shirley Marie Thee

Shirley Thee (nee Kames), a longtime resident of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, passed away at 5:00 p.m. at Sylvan's Crossing on September 9, 2023 in the loving company of her family. Shirley's whole family is grateful to the staff at Sylvan's Crossing for their compassionate care. The Sanchez family, which includes her only daughter, Joanna, steadfastly provided love and companionship at an unparalleled level of support through Shirley's journey through failing memory and health over the past several years. Shirley was born on December 12, 1935 in Illinois and was adopted by Edwin M. and Ellen Kames of Batavia who were farmers. Her parents and older brother, Donald, precede her in the afterlife. Her devoted parents fostered her musical ability by gifting her a parlor grand piano as a graduation present. It was carved with the beautiful care, attention, and artistry that became a hallmark of how she lived. Shirley was a multi-creative artist, a poet, a visual artist, and a vocalist whose classical training at Alverno College in Milwaukee with Sister Laudesia (nee Laura Lampe) led to her professional career as a music teacher at Mooseheart Child City and School Inc. in Aurora, Illinois, a school for children in need from infancy to teen years, which included orphans among them. As part of her legacy in art, Shirley leaves a portion of her creative spirit and encouragement for the arts in her oldest son, Michael, who is an accomplished artist in other media forms, including jewelry and photography. Her youngest son, Chris, is both a musician and artist. As a teacher, Shirley taught a community of children with whom she had a natural connection and to whom she taught the genuine gifts of vocal artistry and music. After meeting her former husband, William Thee, Shirley moved from Illinois to Greensboro, North Carolina and then to Wisconsin. She delighted public audiences with performances at local organizations, including happy, popular musical duets with her youngest child. She participated in Masquers, community theater on the lakeshore, which presented musicals. She was approached as a young student to perform professionally but she opted to prioritize family life, which became increasingly important when she took on the responsibilities of single parenting in the eighties. Shirley had a deep love of the Christmas spirit. She was prone to singing, "We need a little Christmas " in an outburst of Julie Andrew's-style mastery in song even in July. She loved Kurtz's Pub & Deli sandwiches, Beerntsen's ice cream and confections with her children and grandchildren, enjoyed collecting bunnies and other reminders of the childhood innocence in all of us. She was quick with a kind word and a bright-eyed smile, and frequent offers of loving encouragement to anyone experiencing a rough time. She loved her family beyond words and was quick to love her child's spouse or partner as her own. When her memory was strong, she remembered important things that reflected deep empathy for others and their experiences. Shirley was committed to spreading joyful, loving energy even to strangers on the street, and at the same time could drive any server in a restaurant to tears from the level of indecision and worry over what to order that could time sink an afternoon and a hungry belly. She never once took the suggestions of any server though she always asked. We will miss the comedy and adventure of eating out with her. It was better than any Laurel and Hardy routine. Later in life, Shirley was re-united with her biological sister, Patricia, and had the opportunity to meet her biological father in a manner that filled her heart and gave her more family history to pass along to her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her brother's children and by her three children, Michael, Joanna, and Christopher, their spouses and partner, respectively; three grand-children whom she loved dearly: Benny, a devoted grandson often found by her bedside, Jessie, her only and oldest, grand-daughter, and her youngest grandson, Daniel, who cherishes every ice cream outing he can remember with her. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren. The family will greet relatives and friends for a memorial visitation from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Saturday September 23, 2023 at The Lendman Funeral Home, 4638 Expo Dr. Manitowoc. Burial of the cremated remains will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.lendmanfh.com The Lendman Funeral Home, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.