Shirley Ann Calabrese

On Thursday, January 25, 2024, Shirley Ann Calabrese passed away in her home in Henderson, Nevada with her husband, Bob, and daughter, Jennifer, by her side. She is now at peace after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer.

Shirley was born to Steven and Helen Stefursky on November 1, 1947 in Derby Connecticut. She attended Ansonia High school and during her high school years won several singing and accordion competitions.  She began work at United  Technology as a computer aide where she and Bob met and were married two years later, and continued for 55 years. Shirley worked as an executive assistance at an advertising company; interior designer; housewife; and a Cantor and Adult choir member at St. Marks church as well as performing in several charity events for St. Marks.

Shirley and Bob moved to southern California where at St Jude’s church Shirley was the leader of the Children’s choir, a member of the Adult Choir, and a Cantor. She also decided to attend college to study Music Theory while raising her new daughter, Jennifer, who attended with her and sat in the back of the class--her way to ensure her daughter would value an education. She also embraced her musical career by producing a wonderful CD that helped her family and friends enjoy her music any time! She was a valued member of the Los Robles Master Chorale for several years. She was also an excellent golfer, and very proud of her hole-in one at Dragon Ridge CC, witnessed by her husband. 

Throughout her life, she embodied the spirit of an artist in countless ways. She noticed and fostered beauty all around her, whether through her interest in music, flower arranging, fused glass, interior and landscape design, and everything in between! Her voice was such a gift to the churches that she supported.

She was a devoted wife, loving mom, warm grandmother, and dear friend who was always finding ways to bring joy to those around her. She loved to travel and engage in new adventures. Shirley became a grandmother in 2017 and we are so glad that she and her granddaughters, Charley (4) and Eva (almost 7) had the chance to play, bake, craft, and make memories together. We know she’s looking out for all of us and she will always be in our hearts.

A funeral service for Shirley will be held Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at St. Francis of Assisi (2300 Sunrise Heights Parkway, Henderson NV 89052).

A reception will follow at Palm Eastern Mortuary (7600 S. Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123). 

Please keep these words of peace in your heart as we remember our wonderful Shirley:

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. 

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times, and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

A funeral service for Shirley will be held Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St Francis of Assisi, 2300 Sunrise Heights Parkway, Henderson, NV 89052. A reception will occur Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at Palm Eastern Mortuary, 7600 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123. A visitation will occur Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Palm Eastern Mortuary, 7600 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123.