Shirley R. Noakes

Shirley Rhea Womack Dannenmaier Noakes was born to Virginia and Sidney Womack on April 12, 1935, in Granite City, Illinois, where Shirley made many friends and excelled in many ways, including as valedictorian, cheerleader, basketballer, and wedding singer. Shirley attended nursing school at Washington University in St. Louis and later attended Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, where she received her Master’s. She always said she was a lifelong student, completing her PhD when she was in her 60’s. Shirley worked as a nurse, a nurse educator, a mental health counselor, and a director of nursing. After retiring she enjoyed piano playing, doll collecting, reading, crocheting, and playing games with friends and family.

Kindhearted and jovial, Shirley made friends wherever she lived, which included many states as well as Canada. Shirley spent the last eight years of her life in Acton MA, living with her daughter Lorene. She said many times that the loveliness of the New England woods reminded her of childhood visits to her grandparents near Dover, Tennessee. Shirley was blessed with many new and dear friends at the Acton Senior Center, where she often played Scrabble and attended “Hot Topics” and other events. Shirley is survived by her brother Sidney Lane Womack; her daughters Lorene Park and Laura Dupuis; her sons Chris, Eric, and Bill Dannenmaier; her 12 grandchildren; and her 8 great-grandchildren.

Shirley was a positive force in many lives, and she will be missed by all who knew her.