Born August 12, 1935, in Prince George County, Virginia, Shirl was the eldest daughter of Thelma (nee Mitchell) and Robert Asa Bolling.
Shirl, as she was known by her family and friends north of the Mason-Dixon line, selected the name of her younger sister, Shelby Bolling, based on her affection for 1930s actor/singer, Shelby Jean Davis. She spoke fondly of her small, cherished family of four, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins of her large extended family in Virginia.
Shirl attended Hopewell High School in Hopewell, Virginia and graduated with a business degree from Richmond Professional Institute, which merged with the Medical College of Virginia to form Virginia Commonwealth University. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Asa Bolling in 1954 and Thelma Dean Bolling in 1980.
Shirl, Mom, Grammy was a generous, precocious, resilient, faithful and loving friend to so many. She was a classy, elegant lady who did everything her own unique sense of style. Shirl brought much joy to so many with her countless of acts of kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness. She was exceptionally witty and always wanted to assist anyone, not matter their trek in life. Shirl was always an eternal optimist who believed the best was still yet to come, no matter how bleak the current situation was. Her beautiful smile and generous spirit brought joy to those who knew and loved her. Shirl is survived by her children and family: Stacie, Shawn, Shelby (Marvin), Robert Christopher-Chris (Sharon), Michael (Suzie), Christopher James-CJ (Kristina), Sarah Elizabeth (Will), Mary Catherine, Vincent and Arthur John-AJ. She was also a loving grandmother to four miniature schnauzer fur babies, Tristan,
Travis, Winston and 7-year-old, Mathison (aka Mattie).
Shirl was dedicated to her family and friends. She demanded the best of herself and always brought out the best others. To those who knew her well, she was avid sports fan. Both player and fan of Tennis and Golf, fan of college football, most especially Michigan and Notre Dame and the Olympics. Her love for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and attending live performances were a well-known passion of hers.
Shirl worked outside the home for her entire life, first out of necessity to support her family following the premature death of her father and later to satisfy her ambitious nature to achieve, for a wide variety of companies including assistant to purchasing agent for Continental Can Company, paper products producer in Hopewell, Virginia, Executive Secretary to Sales Manager for General Motors,
Executive Secretary to CEO for Hickey Construction Company in South Bend, Indiana, Executive Secretary to CEO for Vlassic Pickle Company, to her final position following thirty plus years of service from which she retired in 2008 as Corporate Secretary and Office Manager for Gabriel, Roeder, Smith and Company-GRS (Detroit based-actuarial firm).
Shirl kept active in several organizations including the Executive Women International-EWI, Fine Arts Society of Detroit, The Theatre Arts Club, Grosse Pointe Historical Society, Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe Assistance League where she held positions ranging from President, Board Member, Show Producer to Show Head of Costumes.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5