Shirley Talley

Shirley was born on September 19, 1939 to James and Leta Cole in Merced, CA. She spent her childhood years in Atwater, California before moving to North Hollywood. She met her life-time love, Ron Talley, at North Hollywood High School and the two began their journey together as a married couple on January 3, 1959. After raising a family while working full-time in Southern California, Shirley’s employer moved to the Phoenix area. Shirley and Ron followed, settling in Avondale. All the while Shirley longed to earn her college degree and took classes whenever she could fit them into her busy life. Finally in 2002, after many years, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Arizona State University – the oldest in her class! Not long after (and perhaps sensing her tenacity), ASU hired Shirley to develop their life-long learning program, where she sought and secured funding from the OSHER Foundation and established learning centers and curriculum throughout Phoenix’s many retirement communities. Shirley made a loving impact wherever she went, and with a heart for disadvantaged women and education, she became active in the American Association for University Women, eventually serving as president of the Arizona chapter. Children always held a special place in her heart. Whether she was leading youth groups, caring for exchange students, serving in the church nursery, or tutoring her precious second graders at Tuscano Elementary School, she saw the wealth of potential in every individual, and worked to help them see it too. When her health began to fail in the fall of 2017, she always kept a positive outlook, and continued to be a bright light despite her struggles, never wanting to burden her loved ones. She was always ready to share a hug, a laugh, or a tear with a friend. On Saturday, September 29, 2018, Shirley passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband Ron, children Tom and Laura, daughter-in-law Cindy, brother Delbert and sister Barbara, and her adoring grandchildren, Britney, Dean, Bridget, Ian and Alexis. In the words of Alexis, “She was our MVP. The best one.” Services will be held at Desert Springs Community Church in Goodyear, AZ on October 20, 2018 at 10am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: • The Tuscano Elementary School Tutoring Program which was so dear to Shirley’s heart. Make check payable to: Fowler Elementary School District Tuscano Shirley Talley Memorial 1617 S. 67th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85043 • The American Cancer Society at cancer.org