Shirley Darrow

Throughout the life she lived each day, Shirley Darrow filled her time with numerous things that she loved while holding her loved ones near. She was known for her strong work ethic and her attention to detail, but her unending compassion and spirit of generosity will be her lasting legacy. Shirley was blessed to share much of her life with her true love with whom she witnessed her family grow to include the children and great-grandchildren she adored. A dear woman to many, she will be deeply missed while the memories she leaves behind are deeply cherished for years to come.

The 1930s were some of the most trying days we have faced as a nation as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. It was difficult enough to deal with the lack of jobs and a rising unemployment rate, but there was also a terrible drought to contend with in 1930 and 1931 throughout 23 states in our nation’s heartland. Amidst this difficult time a young couple from Oshtemo, Michigan, was able to shift their focus to a time of great joy in their own lives as they welcomed a baby girl into their hearts and home on December 30, 1935. Shirley M. was the fourth of five children born to her parents, Walter and Vera (Camfield) Woodruff, and she was raised in the family home across from the Oshtemo Church on Red Arrow Highway alongside her siblings, Walt, Wilma, (a sister that died as an infant) and Wava. Her father was a volunteer firefighter in Oshtemo and also worked as an electrician, but Shirley was just a young girl when he died. Her mother played the organ in the Oshtemo United Methodist Church for 37 years. Shirley attended local schools including Kalamazoo Central High School. Although she didn’t graduate from high school she did earn her associate’s degree from Kalamazoo Valley College.

Accompanied by a strong work ethic, Shirley worked hard in everything she did. She made a career as a dispatcher at the Upjohn Company, retiring after 30 years of dedicated service. Shirley’s retirement years looked a bit different from many who retire as she took her love for gardening into the flower industry, working for Paulette’s Potting Shed for more than 10 years.

New and exciting changes were in store for Shirley when she met the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Bill Darrow, and after dating for a time they were married at his sister’s house in Galesburg on July 1, 1977. He brought his four sons, Jim, Kurt, Kevin, and Tom, into their marriage, and they raised them alongside one another when they were with them. Shirley loved his children as her own and was a fantastic stepmother.

Shirley treasured her family dearly, and they enjoyed being together whenever they could. She made candy during the Christmas season, much of which she shared with others. Shirley also made great cookies, although she usually needed to hide them from Bill! Even though she loved the holidays, Shirley was always glad for the reprieve when they were over. For many years she and Bill went hunting out West. Although she liked hunting, she primarily just enjoyed being with him and their good friends while enjoying the outdoors. Dogs were a part of their family, mainly Chows, but it was Bill who was the genuine dog lover. For several years Shirley and Bill enjoyed going out to lunch, often in Decatur.

In her leisure time Shirley was one to keep busy. She was a master seamstress who made a pullover for the guys hunting trips. Always on the lookout for a bargain, she and her friend, Barbara Krohn, went shopping together on Wednesdays for several years with Kohl’s, Target, and Jo-Anne Fabrics being among their favorite stores. Their shopping adventures were followed by a nice lunch. Shirley enjoyed reading, usually a good romance novel, and she liked playing along with various game shows on television and watching Survivor. Although she wasn’t big into social media, Shirley did enjoy her computer and made a point to keep up with her extended family and friends. She always had a special place in her heart for babies, and she loved seeing the grandchildren whenever she could as they lived some distance away.

Although she could be opinionated or even strong willed at times, Shirley Darrow was a passionate woman who loved others with her whole heart. She lived a fugal life, even driving to Indiana to buy her cigarettes several cases at a time, and she was organized in everything she did. Shirley was a fantastic housekeeper whose home made everyone who entered feel welcome. She will never be forgotten.

Shirley Darrow, of Lawrence, died April 24, 2014, in Kalamazoo. Shirley’s family includes her husband, Bill Darrow; 4 stepsons: Jim (Lynette) Darrow, Kurt (Jodi) Darrow, Kevin Darrow, and Tom Darrow; 8 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings: Walt (Gail) Woodruff, Wilma (Jack) Dugan, and Wava Slater; and many nieces and nephews. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents. Services will be held Tuesday 11:00 a.m. at the Lawrence United Methodist Church with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service in the church hall. Please visit Shirley’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence United Methodist Church. Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler & Thompson-Paw Paw, 60900 M-40; 657-3870