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Obituary for Shirley Ruth Fawcett
Shirley Ruth Fawcett, a longtime resident of Birmingham, Michigan, died peacefully on June 28, 2021. She was 98 years old. Shirley was born December 12, 1922, to Isabel B. and Arthur V. Shattuck, in Birmingham.
Shirley was a graduate of Baldwin High School. On October 1, 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Jack Langdon Fawcett. The couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary at a party in October 2016.
Jack joined the U.S. Army in 1943 and left to serve in Europe during World War II, where he received many medals and was in the Battle of the Bulge. In the book he wrote about his service, he noted that Shirley wrote him a letter every day and frequently sent cookies.
Shirley was employed by the City of Birmingham as Secretary for the Engineering and Planning Department from February 11, 1946, until she retired on June 7, 1984. Jack was also employed by the city as a meter reader and repairman. One of her fellow workers, Bonnie Cook, remembers Shirley looking out the window of city hall, spotting Jack, and saying. “God, how I love that man.” In their retirement years, Shirley organized yearly reunions for retired city employees and wrote newsletters.
Shirley was an avid gardener, spending many hours tending to the garden of their Birmingham home. Shirley and Jack enjoyed travelling. They visited all 50 states, camping in an RV, and travelled to Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Europe multiple times, including Greece and Turkey. They also took cruises to the Caribbean. They wintered at their home in Horseshoe Cove in Bradenton, Florida for many years, and spent summers at their home in Birmingham. They also owned a cabin in northern Michigan where they often visited.
Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack, who died January 14, 2017, at the age of 96. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Sally Pilkinton, and Susie (Frank) Sasso, and by her 20 nieces and nephews, Phil Chandler, Tim (Sally) Chandler, Jill Chandler, Steve Chandler, Gary (MaryBeth) Baker, Kerry Bennett, Jackie (Wayne) Johnson Adams, Jari (Steve) Johnson Auger, Josie Johnson Auger, Chris (Kim) Johnson, Greg (Kim) Johnson, Jaimie (Sean) Johnson, Jodie (Steve) Amell, Linsey Pilkinton, Tracey Pilkinton, Brett (Cathy) Pilkinton, Kim (Chad) Cameron, Becky (Jerry) Newell, Nichole (Mike) Sasso-Allison, and Suzanne (Brad) Kuusinen. Shirley is also survived by many, many friends and loving neighbors. She was preceded in death by her sister, Becky Millet, her sisters-in-law, Betty Chandler, Peggy Woody, Nancy Knapp, and Patsy Johnson, and her nephew Alan Baker.
A Funeral Service will take place graveside at Greenwood Cemetery in Birmingham, Tuesday, July 6th, at 1pm. Immediately following the service, a memorial luncheon will be held at Social restaurant, 225 E. Maple Rd., Birmingham.
Memorials appreciated to Leader Dogs for the Blind, 1039 S. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills, Michigan 48307.
The family also wishes to express their gratitude to Tamara Blue, Shirley's exemplary caregiver for the past 4 years.
