Shirley Ireland

MISSOULA - Shirley Ann (Harrier) Ireland, 86 of Missoula passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at the Riverside Health and Rehabilitation in Missoula, MT of natural causes. She was born July 30, 1937 in Phillipsburg, PA to Austin and Martha Harrier.

As a young girl she lived with her family in Clearfield, PA. On February 27, 1960 Shirley married Elmer Lawrence Ireland of Lorain, OH. Upon his death in 2022, the couple had been together for 63 wonderful years. They had two sons, BG (Ret) USA Jeffrey Elmer Ireland and eXp Realtor Christopher Alan Ireland. In the early years, Shirley was employed by the Clearfield County Courthouse as a clerical associate. She enjoyed music and sang on the local radio station with her best friend Barbara Koepke. After her marriage, she relocated to Lorain, OH to live and raise her family. In 1978, she and Elmer moved to Missoula, MT through a position transfer with Northwest Airlines. They lived the remainder of their lives in the Big Sky Country. Shirley was an amazing wife, mother and homemaker. She enjoyed playing cards (especially pinochle), Bingo (she was the unofficial "Bingo Queen" at the Riverside) and spending time with family and friends. Shirley is preceded in death by her husband Elmer Ireland and her parents Austin and Martha Harrier. Survivors include her sons Jeff Ireland of Helena and Chris (Billie) Ireland of Lolo, three grandsons Greg Ireland, Matt Ireland and Cameron Ireland, two granddaughters Lauren (Dan) Nault, Charisa (Vasiliy) Lemeza, three great granddaughters Charley Lemeza, Walker Lemeza, and Delilah Ginger Marie Stewart-Ireland, and one great grandson Ashton Ireland.

The family will have a memorial service for Shirley at a future date. Her ashes will be entombed in a crypt at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Missoula, MT alongside her husband. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Riverside Health and Rehabilitation for the exceptional care and support they provided during her stay.