Shirley Gale Leonard-Norling, age 86, of St. Clair Shores, Michigan passed away on November 5, 2022. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 10, 1936, to the proud parents of Lyndon and Ruth Leonard. She is the beloved Granddaughter of Hilda (Donna) and Bill Fitzpatrick. Shirley is the beloved wife of the late John “Jack” Norling. She is the loving mother to Deborah (Bob) Paton, Diane Sherry Lacey and Ruth Tabone. Cherished grandmother to Daniel (Kelly) Paton, Heather Paton, Christine (Jocelyn) Divito, Keith (Ashley) Kalfas, Crystal Whitis, Ruthie Zombek, Paula (Travis) Harris, Sean (Kelsey) Tabone and Jessica Delmotte. Dear great-grandmother to 18 great-grandchildren, Beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews. Shirley is predeceased by her two children Steve Thomas, Ellen Kalfas and her granddaughter TaraRae Lacey, her siblings Charlene Masters, William Leonard, Tom Leonard, Kathy Leonard and Susan Leonard.
Shirley was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, in St. Clair Shores since 1972. Her faith in God was a driving force in her life. She made sure that her children went to church and were educated and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She was a food service worker at St. John Hospital, Moross location in Detroit for 15 years in the 90’s. She was a well-cared for resident of Church of Christ Skilled Nursing Facility in Clinton Township at the time of her death.
Shirley’s door was always open to a friend or relative who wanted to stop by for a cup of coffee and visit. During her lifetime she provided a home for many grateful friends and relatives who needed a home, actually changing the trajectory of their lives, always for the better.
She always had holidays at her home, including all family members since her children were very young. The gift she gave us in doing this was the gift of knowing our family and knowing the love that comes with close relationships with our entire family, including siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandparents and friends. She was a young, often single mother of 5 children. She struggled daily to make sure there was a roof over our heads, food and clothing all of our lives. She enjoyed puzzles, crossword puzzles, crocheting and crafts of many kinds.
Family will receive friends and family for visitation on Sunday November 13, 2022, from 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm, with a funeral service at 6:00 pm, officiated by Fr. Robert J. Slaton, at Kaul Funeral Home 28433 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48081. Interment will take place at Forest Lawn Cemetery at a later date.
