Shirley Ann Margaret Engle

1950 - 2025

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother and stepmother, Shirley Ann Margaret ("Sam") Engle on March 6th, 2025, at the age of seventy-five. She died peacefully in her sleep after enduring a lengthy battle with renal disease and other medical challenges. She was in a nursing home, Adara Living, in Broomfield, Colorado.

Known as Shirl, Auntie Shirl, Sam, Mom, and Nana; she was born on January 4, 1950, and grew up in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. She was raised by her mother and father, Anne (Karpiak) and Irvin Howard Walker, respectively, and had two brothers (Glenn and David) and two sisters (Della and Debbie). Sam was a devoted wife, mother and friend. Sam and her husband, Jay Melville ("Mel") Engle, were married in Canada in 1990 and, soon afterward, moved to California due to Mel's job, where she eventually became a US citizen. They shared 34 years of love and companionship, building a life filled with joy and laughter. Together, they lived in Irvine,CA, Austin,TX, Acton,MA, Napa,CA and Thornton,CO, where she and Mel retired.

Sam and Mel adopted their son, Nathan ("Nate") Jerrold Engle, in 1994. Sam was stepmother to Mel's children Meagan Frank and Ryan Engle, and mother-in-law to Paul Frank and Piper Joy. She was proudly Nana to Everett, Elaina and Aubrey Frank. Sam was a kind, highly intelligent and compassionate person, known for her dry humor, generosity, and warm smile. She was a skilled cook and game-player. She always loved opportunities to enjoy her decades-long friendships and was a wonderful, doting mom. Sam was highly active with Nate's schools and activities. In her spare time, Sam worked tirelessly within Unity churches across the US and volunteered with other non-profit organizations including PEO, Cope Family Center, and as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). Her love for family and her community was evident in everything she did.