Shirley was born to Wilbur and Mae (Bayne) Larson on February 23, 1926 on her grandparents’ Pearl Creek Farm on what happened to be their wedding anniversary. Shirley’s first “crib” was a dresser drawer.
Shirley’s youth was spent mainly in Laurel, Nebraska enjoying her cousins and following the local minor league baseball team with her family (this developed into a lifelong love of baseball).
As times were hard and work scarce, Shirley’s family moved to Portland in September of 1943. Prior to the family moving, a public auction was held to sell off all of their belongings. Shirley, however, was allowed to keep her beloved clarinet. They then proceeded to Portland by train. Since their travel was during war time, many soldiers were also traveling. The train was so full that soldiers were sitting in the aisles. They also had to shut the shades during evening travel as there was a mandatory “black-out.” One of Shirley’s fondest memories is of her arrival to Portland. When the train arrived, some of the soldiers saw Shirley’s clarinet. If they would have seen her clarinet earlier, they would have asked her to play.
Shirley started school at Jefferson High and graduated in 1944. She then worked at the Multnomah County Welfare Dept. as a stenographer, where she met Cal, whom she married on May 6 of 1950. They eventually moved to Seattle where Shirley worked for the Alaska Communications Systems taking dictation and abbreviating telegraph wires to other Alaska stations.
Shirley and Cal eventually settled in Portland with their 2 children. Shirley found enjoyment playing pinochle with her family, her bowling league and going to Seattle Mariner games. She belonged and was very active in the West Portland United Methodist Church. She loved participating in her Olivet Circle and singing alto in the church choir. Shirley also enjoyed volunteering for the League of Women Voters. After Cal retired, they enjoyed their travels to Arizona and much more time at their property near Fossil, OR. Her family all knew if they tried to call and Shirley didn’t answer, she was probably out working in her yard (as seen on google earth) or at Fred Meyers.
Shirley is survived by her daughters Janet (Roger) Ficek and Frances (Lee) Dunn; grandchildren Analee and Nina Dunn, Matt, Mitch and Mike Ficek; and nine great grandchildren. She also dearly loved her numerous nieces and nephews and their families, and was very close to her sister-in-laws Donna and Peggie Larson and Sheila (Sina) Boyd.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years Calvin “Bud” Gerrish Boyd, an infant sister Phyllis and brothers Eldon and Rodney. Shirley’s wonderful spirit and loving nature will be missed by all. We love you.
Donations can be made in Shirley's memory to the West Portland United Methodist Church, located at 4729 SW Taylors Ferry Rd., Portland, OR.
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