Shirley Dawes

Shirley Dawes

November 15, 2025

Dawes, Shirley R., 91, of Midlothian, VA, slipped her slender hand back into her husband Frank's steady grasp on November 15, 2025 after a period of declining health which she handled with courage and grace.

Shirley was born in 1934 in Connecticut and shared her parents with older brother George. Frank met her at a dance when she was on a date with someone else. Family history is rich with the story of how Frank asked that date how serious he was about Shirley because Frank was going to marry her. And they did just that on May 9, 1959; even saving a piece of their wedding cake to share on their 50th anniversary.

She worked in accounting for the local utility and it was her frugal savings that paid for the down payment on their first home. They had 2 daughters; Kerri (Chris) and Susan (Edward), 3 grandchildren; Lindsay (Cole), Alex, and Grayson, and a great granddaughter, Riley.

A compassionate and loyal friend to many, Shirley found great pleasure in gardening, anything colored purple and Milky Way candy bars. She loved driving fast, all-ice cream lunches with her grandchildren and was well known for having Frank order a beer that she would promptly steal and drink herself, much to his amusement. A wonderful cook and hostess, she created great memories at home, on family beach trips and on world-wide travels. But of all the good moments in life her happiest ones were those with Frank. When he passed, she simply stopped dancing to the beat of life so it brings her family and friends peace knowing they are together again.

The family wishes to especially thank Samantha Minter for treating Shirley with love, compassion and dignity. They also wish to express appreciation to the staffs at Brandermill Woods and Crater Community Hospice for their care.

A mass in honor of her life will be held at St. Edward the Confessor Church in North Chesterfield, VA, on December 20, 2025 at 11a.m.