Shirley Anne Whall

Shirley Anne Werthman Whall died on September 29, 2022, from complications related to Parkinson’s disease. She was 86. Shirley was born in Detroit on November 29, 1935, to Jerome and Mildred Werthman. She and her late husband, Joseph R. Whall, “met cute” when seated in alphabetical order at the University of Detroit. They married on Aug. 16, 1958, and lived in Detroit, Temperance and Farmington Hills (twice), Michigan, and Avon Lake, Ohio, moving for Joe’s career with Ford. After weekending for many years in Glen Arbor, they retired to Traverse City on their beloved Old Mission Peninsula. They lived a well-deserved and enviable retiree life of volunteer activities, golf, cocktail hours and “bombing around” this beautiful place in Joe’s red Mustang convertible until Joe died in 2005. Shirley and Joe had two kids, who survive them: Louise Knauer (Kelly), Springfield, MO, and Barry Whall (Carol Ozaki), Cupertino, CA; she also is survived by her grandchildren, Dr. James Ozaki Whall (partner Stephanie Borgstein) and Victoria Ozaki Whall; and her “bonus” grands, Will Knauer (fiancée Marissa Mac), Gwyn Knauer and Chris Knauer (Kaylin Boeckman). Her brother, Jerry Werthman (Helen) of Washington, MI, also survives her; along with a number of nieces and nephews from both families. Her nephew, Michael Werthman preceded her in death. Shirley was a working mom and wife before it was common for her generation of women. She was known for her sense of style, her gracious entertaining, her professional-caliber sewing and quilting, her artistic flair and her adored Shih Tzus. In retirement, both she and Joe cultivated many interests and volunteer roles. Shirley loved working as a docent and at the gift shop for the Dennos Museum, volunteering at the Grand Traverse Pavilions, and attending functions of her book club, the Economic Club and the Old Mission Women’s Club. She was a patron of the Traverse City Symphony Orchestra and a former member of the Traverse City Country Club, where she loved having dinner after Saturday afternoons watching the Metropolitan Opera at the State Theater. She was an early and avid supporter of the Traverse City Film Festival. Her family is exceedingly grateful to her caregivers, led by Irina Nuckels, and her First Choice team of Luba, Tanya, and Alli along with Charlotte Rykse and the whole Wellness team at Cordia Senior Living, and to Hospice of Michigan. As she takes her final resting place next to her beloved Joseph, a committal service for Shirley will offered at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at Oakwood Cemetery, E. Eighth Street Traverse City, MI 49686. Rest well, mom. We love you lots. In lieu of flowers, memorials could be made to the following: The Dennos Museum, 1701 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686 or online at https://www.dennosmuseum.org/support/support-donate/index.html The Father Fred Foundation, 826 Hastings Street, Traverse City, MI 49686 or online at https://www.fatherfred.org/donate/ The Traverse City Symphony Orchestra, 300 E. Front Street, Suite 230 Traverse City, MI 49684 or online at http://traversesymphony.org/support/individual-giving/

Shirley Anne Whall

November 29, 1935 - September 29, 2022