Wednesday, September 18th, 2013 Shirley Irons, 63 of Clear Lake Washington was reunited with her lord. She passed peacefully, at home, surrounded by family members and friends.
Shirley was born on November 22nd, 1949 to Edwin T. and Vivian Marie Johnson in Detroit Lakes Minnesota. She moved to Anacortes Washington in 1962 and was married to Richard Irons of Quincy, California on June 18th, 1966, recently celebrating their 47th anniversary.
Shirley earned her Registered Nursing degree in 1986 and spent her career caring for others; she retired from Island Hospital in Anacortes, WA in 2000 to dedicate more time to her family and community.
Shirley moved to Clear Lake, Washington in 1997 and quickly became involved with the local community. She enjoyed donating her time to the Community Covenant Church of Clear Lake and helping the children at Clear Lake Elementary.
She touched all those around her with her many talents, love & generosity.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Richard Irons; daughter, Sherri Savage; son, Damon and his wife, Betty Irons; beloved grandchildren, Hayden & Jordan Savage, Jasmine & Jeremy Irons; mother, Vivian M. Talbot & step father, Allen R. Talbot; 6 brothers, 7 sisters and numerous members of extended family.
She is preceded in death by her father, Edwin T. Johnson and a brother and sister.
A viewing is planned for family and friends at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley, Washington on Monday and Tuesday, September 23 and 24, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, September 25th at Community Covenant Church of Clear Lake, located at 12605 SR 9 Clear Lake Washington.
A private interment is planned at a later date.
Arrangements are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
In lieu of flowers, please remit any donations in her memory to Clear Lake Community Food Bank or Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center.
Dick, Damon and family, we’re so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Shirley was in my Nursing class at Skagit Valley College. We were assigned to the same hospital for patient care “practice” . Shirley was always nice to everyone. Warm and friendly, she had a quick smile and was always happy to help. I loved her stories of her younger days!! I will always remember her for her extra caring to me during a particular time of need. Everyone in our class loved Shirley. I feel fortunate to have known her.
RIP Lady, Love Mary.
Shirley was my Aunt she was always so kind, giving and always lit my face with a smile when we went to visit her she denfantly was a very special lady and will be missed Im glad I got to visit with her 4 years ago at a family reunion she held at her house you will forever be missed in my heart aunt Shirley love you lots and miss you like crazy.
I will miss you. You helped me more then you will ever know when my mom passed. I wish that we were closer then we where. I LOVE YOU SIS and always will.
Shirley is/was my sister. I never got to spend as much time with her as I would have liked, but I do and will cherish all the memories that i have with her. My prayers and thoughts are with her immediate family and may God keep you in his arms and help her family through this time of sorrow. I will always think of you Shirley when I think of angels in heaven, Our loss is God’s gain, will see you someday when my time comes too. I can only pray that I am half the person that you have been……Love you lots
Aunt Shirley was one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known. She always made me feel so loved. As a child I always looked forward to my Birthday. She used to bring me pictures of Cartoon Characters that she had drawn with a balloon attached to my school. I always felt so special! I am about to have a child of my own and wish every day that my sweet daughter could meet her Great Aunt! While she was sick she still had enough energy to make some bibs, blankets and burp cloths for us which I will cherish very much. Aunt Shirley you will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure to know you! Love you every day!!
Dear Richard and Family,
My deepest sympathy for the lost of your wonderful wife and mother Shirley.
She was a great lady. My late wife, Barbara, and I knew you both for a long time.
As you know Barbara past away last year so I know what you and your family are going through.
My heart goes out to you at this time.
Sincerely,
Glenn, Michael and Tim Beckworth
Shirley was my sister, I have never met a person more caring compassionate and loving as Shirley. She was kind to everyone she met. If their was anyone that I would want to pattern my life after it would be Shirley. Their were 10 years between us and tho she was my sister She was like a mother to me as well, she will be greatly missed by us all….I love you Shirley so very much and miss you terribly rest in peace my dear and enjoy your crown in glory, you deserve it…
Shirley was one of those rare people that leave everyone they meet feeling brighter and more optimistic about life. She made me, and I would guess likely everyone she met, quickly feel at home and like they had met a new friend. I, and my entire staff, will miss seeing her beautiful smile and we will always be glad she once walked through our door.
Dr. Stark
Shirley and I worked together for a couple of years at Island hospital as fellow nurse colleagues during the years of 1986 to 1988 when it was at that time, that I left to go to work at St. lukes and then Skagit Valley Hospital. However, we would run into each other from time to time as members of our professional nurses association of the Washington State Nurses Association at local and even a state meetings and when we would see each other it was always felt by me-just like yesterday. Shirley was a very soft spoken loving person. I would always witness many times when we did work together, she would be looking to do whatever she could to help make a patient or a fellow nurse feel welcomed, appreciated and cared for at anytime you were in her presence. I will remember her warm smile, and her very open loving spirit that I always felt whenever I was with her, she also had a way of reassuring about things that were going, that all be be OK. I will miss those just “running” into her from time to time as I have over these many years since we worked together as nurses, and when we got together “just by chance from time to time as friends.