MARCH 14, 1932 – JANUARY 18, 2021

Woodinville, WA - Shirley Jean Boyer (88), passed away peacefully in her home in Woodinville, WA, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born in Detroit, MI, and was a 1950 graduate of Mackenzie High School. She is survived by her sister, Patti, her son Marc (wife Matsu), daughter, Robin (husband Ben), daughter, Michele (husband Kevin), beloved grandchildren, Alexys and Alyis, and several nieces and nephews. She was looking forward to being reunited with her youngest son, Michael, who passed in 2013.

She loved to travel, and visited many countries. She was a lifelong swimmer and became a certified instructor for the Senior Arthritis Swim Class, while in her 80s. She was an accomplished pianist, ballet and tap dancer, and seamstress. Shirley loved her volunteer work with the Redmond Police and Fire Depts. She also loved her aerobics and water aerobics classes. She was a member of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, and adored Fr. Frank Schuster. Shirley will be dearly missed by all who knew her. May she rest in peace.

Shirley lived quite a remarkable life filled with lots of love. She was born and raised in Detroit, then relocated to the State of Washington later in life.

She really loved to travel and visited many countries. She was an accomplished pianist, ballet, and tap dancer. She was sponsored by Kronk Recreation, in Detroit, when she was 15, to train for the Olympic Diving Team. Shirley was also a beautiful seamstress.

Shirley’s uncle was Ray Gorrell, a prominent Detroit orchestra leader in the 1930s, who sponsored Shirley, for a year of classical piano study at the Wayne State Conservatory of Music.

In Washington, she was a longtime volunteer for the Redmond Police and Fire Departments, and a member of the Probus Club. She loved her aerobics and water aerobics classes. She became a certified instructor for the Senior Arthritis Swim Class.

Shirley passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. She was a feisty little force to be reckoned with right to the very end. She will be missed dearly.

The family will have a private gathering to honor her life.

A favorite saying of hers was exactly how she lived her life: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams - live the life you’ve imagined. (Henry David Thoreau)

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/seattle-wa/shirley-boyer-10009123