Shirley Ann Aco

Shirley Ann Willis Aco, 68, of Choctaw/Harrah, OK, passed away May 27, 2011. She was born February 10, 1943 in Kingman, KS. Shirley later moved to Kansas City, KS where she met and married Richard Aco on August 21, 1961. Shirley and Richard moved to Oklahoma City, in 1967 to help his father with his Mexican restaurant and tortilla factory, Taco Palace. They later moved to Harrah where they started and owned Orbit Finer Foods in Choctaw, OK. Shirley was very active in many organizations and helped to start many events within the Harrah and Choctaw communities.

Shirley was involved in Eastern Star and at one time was Grand Matron in Jones. She was instrumental in starting Choctaw Old-Timer’s Day. She also worked on the Miss Harrah Pageant. She was a member of Twin Club of Oklahoma City and an electrifying member of the “Straight Street Gang” in Harrah. Shirley was a very bright light in everyone’s life and brought a spark into everyone’s heart. She loved to have fun and she lived life to the fullest.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, George Winfield and Bernice Grace (Phillips) Willis; and her father in law, Raymond Aco. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Richard Aco of Choctaw, OK; three loving and devoted children, Kim Cantrell and husband Jerry of Harrah, OK, Rick Aco and wife Dolores of Las Vegas, NV, Tony Aco and wife Hyuen of Choctaw, OK; two loving granddaughters, Megan Bluhm and husband Dennis of Harrah, OK, Melissa Cantrell of Harrah, OK; siblings, Russell Willis and wife Shirley of Topeka, KS, Betty Griffith and husband Tom of McPherson, KS.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at the Bill Eisenhour Northeast Funeral Home. There will be a celebration of Mimi’s life held at the home of Jerry and Kim Cantrell in Harrah immediately following. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shriner’s Hospital in Shirley’s name. Condolences may be offered at www.eisenhourfuneralhome.com