Shirley Beall Friel

Shirley was born in Washington, D.C. One of five children of William (Pete) and Estelle Phelps Beall, she was raised in the Avenel community of Silver Spring, Maryland, attending high school at the Academy of the Holy Names.

Shirley is best known for how she embraced life and defined “family”. This included her immediate family and several generations of extended family calling her “Grandma Shirley”. Shirley mentored many young women who came to Washington to work and study. Her door was always open, for coffee, conversation, counsel, comfort.

Shirley was active in St. Camillus parish and school, Bridge Clubs, as well as serving as past President of the Hillandale Women’s Club. In her early fifties, Shirley launched a successful career in Real Estate. Her cooking and baking skills are legendary, as well as her creative skills in art, sewing and needlework. At bake sales, customers would wait patiently for her arrival to indulge in her famous cheesecakes. She loved to entertain, hosting iconic Christmas parties.

Shirley will be remembered as a kind, tolerant, creative, forgiving and loyal woman with an open heart to all. Her sense of humor kept her health care aides smiling in her last days of life.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband of 26 years, Edward B. Friel Jr., her son Edward (Barney) B. Friel III, son-in-law Frederick Chew Jr., her four sisters Eleanor Thiede, Camilla Rosewag, Thelma Naecker, Caroline Beall, and niece Marilyn Thiede.

Shirley is survived by her children, Patricia Friel Chew, Leslie Friel Herbert (Jonathan), and Susan Friel Berner (Billy), grandchildren Scott Berner (AmyLeigh), Christopher Berner, and Patrick Herbert, and Great-Grandchild Airliana Berner, and beloved nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD., on Friday, June 18. Visitation at 10 am and Funeral Service at 11 am, with interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The family kindly suggests that you join them in their celebration of the life of Shirley Beall Friel by wearing any color but black. Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of a contribution to the American Liver Foundation or Kidney Cancer Research Alliance (KCCure).