Obituary for Shirley Felshaw Felshaw, Shirley Michel Age 96, died in Tucson, Arizona on October 10, 2018. Shirley was born in Dunedin, New Zealand on June 28, 1922. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Vera Patterson, her wonderful husband Warren in 1993 and her daughter Linda Graham, August 26, 2018.
She is survived by her daughter Robin (Doug) Rainwater and three grandchildren, Ramona Graham, Robert (Rose) Rainwater and Lindsay Rainwater as well as two great grandchildren, Avery Hayden and Abraham Colby. In New Zealand she is survived by three nieces, Michelle (Bert)Tarry, Joanne (Murray Jacques) Patterson, Erin (Darren) Rawnsley, and one nephew, Dean (Lesley) Patterson. After her early growing up years in Dunedin, Shirley moved to Auckland where she studied to be a kindergarten teacher.
In 1943 the American Marines and Navy came to New Zealand for respite from World War II. She met Warren at a dance and after a short romance they were married in August of that year. In May of 1946 they traveled on a ship full of war brides to the United States where they docked in San Francisco.
They traveled by train down to San Diego and then across the southwest until the arrived at Safford, Arizona. Shirley thought she had landed in hell as it was so hot and desolate compared to New Zealand. After 6 weeks, they made their way back to the Bay Area where both Robin and Linda were born.
They lived in the Bay Area until 1956 when they moved to Tucson. While Shirley was a Kiwi forever, she grew to love the desert and never wanted to live anywhere else. For many years she worked as the bookkeeper for Warren’s business, but eventually became the Parish Secretary at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church where she and her family had started worshiping in 1957.
The parish was an integral part of her life where she participated in many activities including the altar guild, bell ringers and prayer shawl knitters. Shirley and Warren had a wonderful life together. They travelled and camped all over the western United States and treated Robin and Linda to many great adventures.
She loved to hike when she was younger, especially on the many trails around Tucson. She also loved to visit New Zealand to visit family and friends and was fortunate to make her last visit in 2011 with special friend and fellow Kiwi, Sue Cross. Shirley will always be remembered for her love of family, her fantastic totally homemade macaroni and cheese (so delicious), ANZAC cookies, and chicken enchiladas.
Services will be held Thursday, November 29th, 2018 at 1:30pm at St. Philips in the Hills Episcopal Church, Tucson, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Salvation Army of Tucson.
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