Shirley S. Kirk

Shirley Stretlien Kirk, aged 87, passed away on September 29, after a long struggle with COPD. Shirley, formerly of Grosse Pointe, MI, has been a resident of Beacon Hill retirement community in Grand Rapids for the last several years, where she made many wonderful friendships. 

Shirley was the daughter of Hjalmar and Hjordis Stretlien, who immigrated to Detroit from Norway, and was born in in Detroit.  Shirley attended Cass Technical High School and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Wayne State University where she was a member of Zeta Chi sorority. She loved her career with the Grosse Pointe Public School System and taught hundreds of children at Maire and Defer Elementary Schools.

Shirley is survived by Robert Kirk, her husband of 64 years, and her three children, Alison (Mark) O'Gorman of Kentwood, MI; Jeff (Bethann Verbiest) Kirk of Grosse Pointe, MI; and Nancy (Tom) Doyal of East Grand Rapids, MI. Shirley got a kick out of her eight grandchildren - Todd O'Gorman, Kirk (Sarah) O'Gorman, Kate O'Gorman (John) Fodell; Torrie Kirk (Roberto) Abello, Bryan and Jennifer Kirk; Sally and Charlotte Doyal; and her nine great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sister, Doris Lindland of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, her cousin Thelma Ormsbee of Livonia, MI.

Shirley loved spending time at her cottage in Glen Arbor and thought the perfect day began with kayaking in Lake Michigan. She had many wonderful summer friends, many of whom she met in college.  Shirley was artsy and creative and loved designing, sewing, gardening, reading, nature and was a master at "improvising."  She was active in the Grosse Pointe Arts Council and was a member of the Leelanau Conservancy and Friends of the Crystal River.  Shirley was a progressive thinker and loved meeting new people and having interesting conversations. 

Her family is grateful for the gentle, attentive care that Shirley received from the entire team at Hospice of Holland, Beacon Hill Skilled Nursing, and Gauthier Family Home Care.  Shirley's lively and unconventional spirit will be dearly missed by all who knew her but will live in her loved ones' hearts forever. 

A memorial service will be held at Beacon Hill’s Auditorium at 1919 Boston St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 at 1:00 P.M. on Friday October 6th with a reception afterward.  For those who wish, memorials may be made to Friends of the Crystal River through the Leelanau Conservancy, P.O. Box 1007, Leland, MI 49654.

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