Shirley Jo Caldwell

Shirley attended Olympia public schools and graduated from Olympia High School in 1944. During her senior year in high school, Shirley was the Song Queen on the cheerleading staff, and was elected May Queen. Shirley married Wayne Caldwell in 1946, and their daughter, Kimberlee, was born in 1950.

Shirley worked many years in the state Senate, House of Representatives, Legislative Budget Committee, several private law offices, and the legislative ‘hotline.’ She retired from the House of Representatives staff in 1991.

Shirley was an active member and officer in the Thurston County Republican Women’s Club, Mainstream Republicans, a greeter at the University Place Presbyterian Church, and a volunteer for the Olympia Senior Center’s STARS program. She and her daughter sailed on 18 cruises together, visiting over 30 countries all over the world. She also loved the Seahawks, Mariners, the UW Huskies, and the Food Network channel.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Kimberlee Cusick and son-in-law Robert Gamble of University Place, a brother, William of Olympia, nieces Suzanne Hinkle Foreselius (Vic Yoakum) of Gig Harbor, Sandra Flatness (Peter) of Seabeck, and nephews Gregory Hinkle (Mary Ellen) of Bellevue, and Thomas Gruver (Linda) of Lacey. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Wayne, and a brother, Chuck.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2011, 2:00 p.m. at the University Place Presbyterian Church, 8101 – 27th Street West, University Place, WA 98466. Memorial gifts made in her name can be sent to the University Place Presbyterian Church Music Ministry.