Shirlee Farrell

1940 - 2026

Shirlee Jean Farrell, age 85, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, and cherished friend whose strength, independence, and unconditional love left a lasting mark on everyone who knew her.

Shirlee was born on February 25, 1940, to Edward and Pearl Swietek. She grew up in LaSalle, Illinois, and graduated from LaSalle-Peru High School in 1958. After high school, she attended two years of college in Chicago studying journalism. She met her husband, John E. Farrell, and they were married on April 9, 1960. Together, they shared a devoted marriage rooted in faith and family. Shirlee and John were devoted Catholics and longtime members of St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso.

Their daughter, Rickee, was the center of Shirlee’s world, and she poured her heart into motherhood; sacrificing, encouraging, and supporting her in achieving her dreams and accomplishments, including becoming Miss Indiana. Shirlee was endlessly proud of her family and especially cherished her role as a grandmother. She was their number one fan, always present, nurturing their interests, and supporting whatever they chose to pursue.

Shirlee spent over 60 years working in retail. She began her career at Miller’s Mart in Valparaiso and spent many years working at Macy’s in Merrillville, where she was known for her strong work ethic, reliability, and pride in doing her job well.

Her friends were incredibly important to her, and she took genuine interest in their lives. Shirlee loved being out and about; sharing meals, going to movies, and staying connected. A devoted Notre Dame fan, she rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on the Fighting Irish. She was beautiful both inside and out and had a lifelong love of cats, which brought her comfort and companionship. She loved being out and about, sharing meals, going to movies, concerts, the theater and staying conneted. She was passionate about traveling and visited almost every state in the US.

Shirlee was preceded in death by her husband, John E. Farrell; her parents, Edward and Pearl Swietek; her brother-in-law Frank (Faye) Farrell; her sister-in-law Anne (Ed) Brunder; and many beloved aunts and uncles. She is survived by her daughter, Rickee (Kenny) Skenandore (Farrell); her granddaughter, Keira (Josh) Skenandore; her grandson, Keagen Michael Skenandore; her brother, Dr. Francis Swietek (Bunny); her devoted niece Jane (Eric) Watt (Brunder); Lifelong, dear friend Kathy (Fred) Barbian; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members whom she loved dearly.

Shirlee will be remembered for her strength, her faith, her resilience, and the unconditional love she gave so freely. Her legacy lives on through the lives she shaped and the family she cherished.

Per her wishes, Shirlee donated her body to science, and there will be no funeral service. A private interment will be held at a later date. A memorial service will be planned in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a breast cancer charity of your choice.