Shirley A Walsh

Beloved mother, wife, and sister, Shirley Walsh, 82, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, at Village Health Care, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Butte to Louise (Neary) and Patrick Walsh, Shirley joined her older sister Evelyn on Feb. 20, 1934. A few years later their youngest sister, Dorothy arrived.

Shirley attended St. Mary's grade school and went on to graduate from Girl's Central High in 1954. She was sought to work at the Texaco Company, where she was a shining star.

Shirley met the love of her life, John (Stan) Walsh in high school and they married on Oct. 30, 1955. Together they had six beautiful, healthy children - five girls and one boy, all blue-eyed and blonde as could be.

Shirley spent her younger years raising her family and remained close to her high-school girlfriends. They formed a "club" and played bridge at each other's homes for several years. Shirley loved these women and her children thoroughly enjoyed the benefits when she hosted bridge as bottomless bottles of Pepsi Cola and unlimited treats became the norm on club nights – a rarity in those days.

Holidays and picnics at the Columbia Gardens were always the best – shared with her kids and husband, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and their families and friends – quite the clan and life was good. There were so many people at these gatherings, so much activity, so much laughter and fun.

The outdoors was a huge part of family life throughout the years as Stan and Shirley took their young family on numerous camping adventures and the entire family learned how to ski together – thanks in large part to longtime family friend, Tim Downey.

Shirley eventually joined JC Penney Company in Butte where she worked for 20 years before retiring in 1997. Her customers loved her because she was sweet, kind, helpful, and, extremely personable. She thoroughly enjoyed her co-workers and many remained friends for years beyond retirement.
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Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved son Daniel; her parents Patrick and Louise; her in-laws Stan and Lucille Walsh; brother-in-law Ray Trudeau; sister-in-law Shirley Walsh; and numerous relatives.

She is survived by her loving husband, Stan; daughters, Kathy Carl (John Foley), Maureen Walsh (Kim Masella) all of Missoula, Theresa Walsh of Flathead Valley, Carolyn O'Leary (Richard), and Sherrie Joseph (Frank) of Butte; sisters Evelyn Trudeau (Wade Smith) of Rocker and Dorothy Thomas (Eli) of San Jose, California; brother-in-law Tom Walsh of Seattle; sister-in-law Mary Lou Newman (Bob) of Deer Lodge; half-sisters Rhea Tarkalsan, Charlotte Trudgeon, and Patty Niemi; half- brother Patrick Walsh; grandchildren Chad O'Leary, Matt O'Leary (Jessi), Daniel Keenan Walsh, Kaden Walsh, McKenzie Joseph, and Madison Joseph; great-grandchildren Declan O'Leary and Beckett O'Leary; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Cremation has taken place and a service will be held on Friday, Jan. 6, at 11 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Butte with a reception immediately following at the Butte Country Club. We will forever carry Shirley’s memory in our hearts.

Donations may be made in Shirley’s honor to Our Lady of the Rockies or to Montana Home Health and Hospice of Missoula.