Shirley Ann Range (Sherman) of Mercer Island passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, April 19, 2017.
Born July 24, 1936 in Seattle, Washington, she was the daughter of Jack and Leta Sherman. She was the middle of three sisters, Janet (Fulton) and Patricia (Budzius). She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1955 and was selected as a Hi-Yu princess in 1954.
Shirley married Robert Range on February 29, 1964 beginning their 53-year journey together. They built their dream home at the south end of Mercer Island in 1965. She was a devoted stay-at-home mom, raising four children; Rick Pohl, Tim Pohl, Wendy Swihart (Mark) and Steve Range (Johanna). Her eight grandchildren brought her immense joy and she loved spending time with them; Ashley Pohl, Joshua Pohl, Alec Swihart, Nicholas Swihart, Trevor Swihart, Samuel Range, Jack Range and Luke Range.
Shirley was a gifted artist and enjoyed boating, being near the water, hiking, camping, artistic painting, interior and landscape design, vacationing with family, shopping with her sisters, and spending time with friends and family.
She loved sharing her gifts with others, frequently helping friends and family decorate their homes and design their yards. She adored children and had a special way of making every child feel understood and loved. She spent many years working and volunteering in preschools, day cares and churches where every child that met her loved her.
She was a fun-loving, kind and encouraging person who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, in-laws (Rita Range, Marty Budzius and Ronny Fulton) and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents Jack and Leta Sherman, and sisters Janet Fulton and Patricia Budzius.
Memorial service will be held Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 11:00am at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8501 SE 40th St, Mercer Island, WA 98040.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association on Shirley’s Tribute page at http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=397775&fr_id=1060&pg=fund
