Shirley Bacon Mountz

Shirley Bacon Mountz, 95, of Winter Park, Florida passed away on Friday, July 31, 2020 at home. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 20, 1924. Her parents were the late Robert Hamilton Bacon and Gertrude Ruth Bloy.

She graduated from New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, Illinois and attended the University of Illinois, where she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

Shirley married Robert E. (Bob) Mountz and lived in Springfield, Illinois until 1965 when she moved to Winter Park, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (Bob), brother, R.H Bacon Jr. (Tubby), sister, Mary Elizabeth Desmond; sons, William (Bill), Richard (Rick), daughter, Ruth Marie and Granddaughter, Jennifer Seagraves.

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Marsha Mountz, Carol Mathews (Ken), and Linda Capehart (Chris); grandchildren, Ashley Capehart, Courtney Knoeppel (Sam), Kathryn Perry (Blake), Anne Machamer (Josh), Dalton Seagraves (Anne) and Julie Schroeder (Ryan); great grandchildren, Lily and Luke Perry, Marie and Madison Machamer, Isabella and Ruby Seagraves and Marlee Schroeder. As well as several nieces and nephews and long-time friends, Ruthie, Jeannie, Sherry, Melissa and Cyndi and new friend Diana.

Shirley was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Winter Park where she served on the scholarship committee and was a member of the Miriam Circle. She belonged to the Junior League of Greater Orlando and served on several committees for then Florida Hospital’s Golden Gala.

People were instantly drawn to Shirley because of her infectious personality and no-nonsense approach to life. Her boundaries for humor were sometimes blurred and that was part of her charm. She had an open-door policy when it came to her children’s friends. Everyone was welcome and she was like a second “Mom” to them.

She was generous in spirit as well as in deeds done. Many people were helped by Shirley in different ways in which she never mentioned but her children later heard about from those recipients.

Her grandchildren called her “Grandma Shirl” which she loved so much that she had it embroidered on her Christmas tree skirt.

Christmas was a special time for Shirley. She had to have her home decorated with Santa on the roof, sleigh with gifts and white reindeer in the front yard, and a wreath on every window and a topiary pig all lit up with pink lights. Shirley loved it when drivers would slow down to see her decorations.

When asked, “Do you like to cook?” She would reply, “I am a decent camp cook but the kitchen is just another room to walk through”.

Many years ago, after a funeral she attended, Shirley asked her minister if he believed people did all those wonderful things that were written about them. She then told him that people would be hard pressed to say that many good things about her. She was wrong about that!!

Walking on the beach, reading a good book, going to movies and going out for a wonderful lunch and/or dinner were high on her list of enjoyable things to do. Seeing her grandchildren grow up and being with her great grandchildren were blessings to her. Shirley was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. She lived a long life and brought happiness to many.

The family would like to thank Shirley’s healthcare givers; Gloria from Vitas Hospice, Erin, Debbie, Avna and Nadine.

A private service for immediate family members will be held and a Celebration of Life Service will be planned at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to consider making a donation to your favorite charity in Shirley’s name.

Condolences may be offered at www.baldwin-fairchild.com.