Shirley Jeanne Denton
July 23, 1926 – Feb. 29, 2020
Shirley Jeanne Denton,93, was born on July 23, 1926 to Manley Capron and Mabel Loomis in Battlecreek, MI. She passed away in her Virginia home on February 29, 2020 surrounded by a dozen family and friends chatting, laughing and telling stories about her.
Particularly, there were stories about how fiercely independent she was, and about how stubborn she was about giving up that independence. A nurse by occupation, Shirley was a caretaker at heart. Her love of warm weather had her time evenly split between winters in Melbourne Beach, FL and summers in Mineral, VA, where she lived happily with her dogs, cats, parrots, chickens, and her other similarly over-loved (and over-fed) animal children. When she wasn’t playing bridge, mowing the lawn, or gardening her perennials, her favorite hobbies even in her final year, Shirley could be found passionately following politics, square dancing or clogging, seeing the latest movies, enjoying a Sunday mimosa, or serving as the “blood pressure lady” at a volunteer clinic. Shirley Jeanne was unabashedly outspoken and unwaveringly dedicated to those who needed her most. She loved her family dearly and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her well.
Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Dick and her son, Carl. She is survived by her children, Ken, Candi, Crysti and Carol; her grandchildren, Tara, Shana, Baxter and Kendall; and eight great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held in Shirley’s honor in the coming weeks. If interested in more information, please email [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, please donate to animal charities (tiny.cc/shirjean) or the Malaria Consortium (tiny.cc/shirjean2).
My sincerest condolences to the entire family. While I only knew Ms. Denton for a short time, she made a place in my heart that will stay with me forever. I will forever remember her grand sense of humor and her sweet heart.