Shirley Joan Underwood

Shirley Joan Underwood, Commander, United States Navy (Retired) was reunited with her soulmate Rachel, their many pets, and many fabulous friends who departed before her, on July 14th, 2025.

Shirley was born in Helena, Montana on April 10th, 1935 to Benjamin (Red) and Marie Underwood. Her childhood was spent under the 'Big Sky' and among the vast beauty of Montana. Its wild mountains and natural expanse held Shirley's heartstrings for each of her 90 years of life.

She graduated from Havre High School in 1953 and attended Northern Montana College in Havre for her freshman year before transferring to Montana State University in Missoula, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts in 1957. Following graduation she taught high school English for one year in Peekskill N.Y., prior to joining the United States Navy.

Her military career began after Officer's Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. As a career officer she served at the Explosive Ordnance School in Indian Head, Maryland as a supply officer, and then to Naples, Italy to serve as a communications and cryptology officer for Naval Support and NATO.

One of her most enjoyable duties was at the Recruit Training Command for Women in Bainbridge Maryland, where she trained enlisted women as part of the groundbreaking "Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services" (WAVES) program. She served under the command of Admiral H. G. Rickover, the father of the Nuclear Navy, while stationed at Naval Reactors Headquarters.

After serving as Head of Personnel at the Naval Amphibious School, Little Creek, Virginia she took a final billet at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington D.C. prior to her retirement in 1978.

After retirement she and her spouse of 44 years, Rachel Sarbaugh, loved traveling, enjoying theater and museums, the Washington Mystics, the Redskins/Commanders, the company of many dear friends, and life with their beloved pets.

In addition, Commander Underwood spent time as a creative writer. A short story she wrote about her mother, which was published in Montana Magazine in 1973, was a favorite work. As a pro-life advocate, she wrote an article which was published in Celebrate Life, a Catholic Church periodical.

Commander Underwood was preceded in death by her spouse Rachel, in March 2016. Commander Underwood is survived by her nieces Cheryl Underwood, Janet Sarbaugh, and Martha Veto, and her great-niece Elise and great-nephew Ben. Shirley was always full of life, wit, and optimism; and was loved by many. She will be sorely missed.