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Our beloved mother Shirley Susan Oliver, 97 years old, left this Earth Sept. 16, 2023, at Santa Rosa Health and Rehabilitation Center, Milton, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband, Normand John Oliver (born in Globe, Az.). She is survived by her brother, Willard Dean Samuels, Logan, Utah; her children, Michael Oliver, Roosevelt Lake, Az., Dixie Oliver-Kentros, Milton, Florida and Richard Oliver, Phoenix, Az.; grandchildren, Melody White, Tisha Markham, Sean Oliver, Brian Campbell, Timaree Campbell-Smith, Michael Martin, Jim Oliver, Mike Balcom and Brandon Manwell; and 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Shirley was born in Des Moines, Iowa to Walter Grafton Samuels, an attorney, and Sylva Roselee Samuels. While growing up in Des Moines she had a talent for being a fast runner and was invited to compete in the Drake Relays. However, her mother would not allow it, advising, “It wasn’t proper or ladylike!” If she had competed, she would have been the first female to compete. When her father passed away, her mother relocated herself and children to Long Beach, Ca., where Shirley finished high school and later married Normand Oliver.
In 1972, Shirley and Normand relocated to Roosevelt Lake Resort, Az., where they resided for many years. After Normand’s passing, Shirley moved to Globe to be closer to conveniences. In 2022, due to declining health, Shirley decided to relocate and live with her daughter and son-in-law in Milton, Florida. Her health quickly declined, and she soon passed.
Shirley was an accomplished artist, creating oil paintings that she enjoyed entering in the Gila County Fairs. She also loved birds and in the 1950s raised an aviary of parakeets that she sold to locals. In the 1960s, Shirley raised and showed Irish Terriers (a rare breed of dog) and was a very active member and officer of the Irish Terrier Club of Southern California. She was a primary member who helped with the establishment of the club to be officially recognized by The American Kennel Club.
Shirley’s request to be cremated will be observed, and her ashes will be spread in Long Beach, Ca., near her mother and grandmother.
