World traveler, devoted pediatrician, faithful tennis partner and generous and thoughtful friend to many, Shirley Pan passed away at the age of 74.

Shirley was born in Shanghai, China and moved to Hong Kong with her parents after World War II. She was a distinguished graduate of Diocesan Girls' School, and earned a scholarship from the May-ling Soong (Madame Chiang Kai-Shek) Foundation to Wellesley College MA. In August 1957, 16-year-old Shirley and her father, Francis, boarded the SS President Cleveland to San Francisco to begin her journey to the United States.

Shirley graduated from Wellesley with a degree in chemistry in 1961. She continued her academic success at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (Class of 1965). Shirley was one of a handful of women in her graduating class of 120.

After completing her residency at Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown NY, she embarked on a cross-country road trip in her new red VW Beetle with friend Susy. Shirley continued her medical training at Stanford University and UC Berkeley.

Shirley started her career as a pediatrician with Kaiser in 1969 at the original Kaiser Richmond medical facility on Cutting Blvd. She was highly regarded by her patients for her attentive and caring nature. She had a multi-generational following, with patients she had treated as children trusting her with their own children's care. Kaiser staff relied on her fluency in Mandarin, Cantonese and Shanghainese: she was able to communicate and explain medical concerns in many languages.

She retired in 1997 and provided loving care for both her parents in their later years.

In retirement Shirley was a regular at Chabot Canyon Racquet Club, with three or more regular tennis matches each week. She traveled widely and deeply, exploring her interest in archaeology and history on six continents. Her passports had stamps in them from Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Libya and Iran. Her recent trips include exploring Yellowstone with good friend Anjana and a multi-day Grand Canyon river rafting trip with Diane.

Her interest in photography resulted in a collection of slides and photos that provide an in depth look at historical sights around the world.

Shirley's varied interests are represented by the wide circle of friends who wrote, emailed, called and visited during her final months. She approached her illness with composure and grace, and was in control of her treatment until the end. She was repaid for her numerous friendships with an outpouring of love and affection during her illness.

She leaves behind her cousin Julia, niece Vivian and family and other relatives, as well as many friends in the Bay Area, across the US, and around the world.

Memorial donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders, NYC, NY or Oxfam, Boston, MA. A memorial gathering is scheduled for September 19. Please email [email protected] for more information.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Sep. 4 to Sep. 6, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Shirley Pan

4 Entries

Hannah Le

January 3, 2022

I just read Dr. Pan´s obituary and I´m so saddened to hear of her passing 6 years ago. She was my pediatrician since the very beginning until I was 18. I´m now 41. She was so caring, kind, and patient. I will always remember her.

Richard Ponder

August 26, 2017

I traveled to Ethiopia with Shirley and greatly enjoyed her company. She was a terrific person.

September 28, 2015

Dr. Pan was my daughters pediatrician from the time she was born til she turned 18. She was kind, professional and always listened when my daughter had something to say. She was always there through the crisis times we had to go through. I was deeply saddened to read of her death. She was a good and caring person and we were fortunate to have had her take care of our daughter for 18 years. She will be missed. She was a deeply caring pediatrician at Kaiser in Richmond and she was a part of our lives when it mattered most.

Michael, Joanne and Sarah Paulsen

September 7, 2015

Dr. Shirley Pan was the pediatrician for both of my children...who are now 40 and 44! She was an outstanding, compassionate and helpful doctor. I was sorry to hear the sad news. May she rest in peace.
Barbara Segal

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