Shirley Douglas

Obituary

On the morning of Wednesday, September 13, 2023, our beloved mother took Jesus’ hand and was escorted into Heaven. Mom was met by her beautiful granddaughter there, Sarah Gibson, who was saving her a place at the Lord’s table.

She was born to Harold and Marie Edson, April 11, 1940, in East Windsor, New York.

Shirley was an adoring companion to the love of her life, Bruce Robards Douglas, for 31 years. They met and married in Denver in 1992. She started her career as a secretary for Husky Oil and moved her way up to retire as the Supervisor over the Division Order Analyst group at Presidio Oil & Gas.

After several years, they relocated to Palm Coast, Florida, where they met so many good friends and neighbors. They immensely enjoyed their membership of the local yacht club. Together, they participated in many ocean excursions and traveled the world.

Shirley leaves behind Bruce, three children Tammy Vigil (Ray), Steve Gibson (Judi) and Ginger Kartchner. Altogether leaving fifteen grandchildren Michelle, Michael, Matthew, Megan, Mallory, Mitchell, Maclane (We intentionally named her grandchildren with the first letter “M” to drive Mom crazy ??). She was proud to love six great grandchildren. She also loved her many nieces and nephews.

She was also a loving stepmother to Sylvia Riley (Chris), April Douglas (Brian), Patrick Mulrooney, Deborah Bruner and Bruce’s grandchildren Gabe Riley, Eleanor Riley, Rebecca Cotrone, Natalie Cotrone, Brooke Cotrone, Julia Cotrone and Emmett Cotrone.

Bruce’s family recently wrote of Shirley, “Blended families can be complicated, but she opened her heart to welcome our family. So many cherished memories from family dinners, houseboat trips, adventures on the boats, in the RV and cabin.” “The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.”

Bruce, thank you for taking such great care of our precious mother and showing her all the beautiful things that life has to offer.

Surviving siblings are Yvonne Posson and Harold “Hal” Edson (Joyce) who she loved very much.

On behalf of the family, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to John and Mary Slattery for their continued friendship with Mom and Bruce and for all their much-needed support given to us during our time of sorrow.

A memorial service for both Shirley and Bruce will be held in Port Byron, Illinois and a military funeral with honors for Bruce will take place at Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois, where both will be interred, Friday, June 21, 2024 at 2:00pm.