Shirley Ruth Paris

Shirley Ruth Morris Paris died October 27, 2024 at home, following a five-year bout with breast cancer. She was born in Mason, MI on March 5, 1944. Shirley was the daughter of Mabel and Leslie Dana Morris. She graduated from Mason High School as the valedictorian followed by graduation with an honors BA from Michigan State University.

Following her MSU graduation she commenced a 40-year career as a working mother and served as a Human Resource Professional with the State of Michigan. After retiring in 2006 she became active with the Waverly Garden Club and volunteered often for group activities in the community. She trained for and became a certified Master Gardener and applied her gardening skills both in volunteer work and in designing and maintaining many beautiful flower beds around her home.

Shirley in recent years was also extremely generous with her time and food preparation skills to provide meals and direct assistance to her brother and both sisters who were hampered at times by ailments. This behavior typified Shirley’s commitment to helping others throughout her lifetime. She loved her family dearly. Shirley proudly followed many of the examples set by her mother, Mabel Morris, both with respect to her belief system and with household management practices.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 57 years Joseph, her son James, (Karin) and granddaughter, Alicia Ringwald-Mueller of Highland Beach, FL and daughter, Nancy Paris of Freeland, MI. She is also survived by her sister Marilyn Wanger and brother-in-law Eugene (Gil) Wanger of Lansing. In addition, she is survived by her niece, Cheryl Howe (Gary) of Mason, nephew, Dana Veresh (Maria and grandniece Sarah) of Walled Lake, MI and nieces Lesley Veresh of Milwaukee, WI, Jan Templin of Gilbert, AZ and her family, and Roberta Casato of Placentia, CA and her family.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Eloise Terberg (Bill) of Long Beach, CA, her brother Lloyd Morris (Rita) of Mason and sister Linda Veresh of Saginaw, MI and nephew, Steven Collar of Eaton Rapids, MI.

Many wonderful summer vacations and weekends were spent over a 20-year span at a cottage (and on the water) on Gun Lake in Michigan. Shirley was also passionate about Michigan State Basketball and regularly attended Spartan games over the years, including the National Championship game in 2000. She enjoyed travel and in addition to many trips throughout N. America, Shirley accompanied her daughter on many trips and her sister Linda on several international adventures including, Britain, Italy and China. Above all, Shirley loved her children, James and Nancy and enjoyed spending quality time with them.

Shirley expressed on many occasions her appreciation for the care she received from the cancer treatment team at McClaren’s Karmanos Cancer Center. A special thanks is extended to Doctor Jadin Rana at the Karmanos center for his professional services and direct attention to Shirley’s needs.