Lasting Memories
Shirley Ann Fitterer
Oct. 4, 1934-Feb. 20, 2011
Santa Rosa, California
Shirley Ann Strain Fitterer, 76, passed away peacefully, Feb. 20, 2011, with her daughter by her side in Santa Rosa, Calif.
A third generation California native, Shirley was born Oct. 4, 1934, in San Francisco, the second child of Gordon Strain of Bolinas and Margaret Frances Jenkins Strain of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Gordon was an operating engineer, sports fisherman, and avid gardener. Margaret was an early employee of Hewlett-Packard Company in Palo Alto, a wonderful homemaker, and beloved family matriarch.
Shirley had many fond memories of her childhood, including playing with her brother and cousins, visiting her grandparents at their dairy farm in Barron Park, and cultivating friendships that would last a lifetime. She graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1952 and attended San Jose State University.
She lived on Oahu for nearly a year and later worked for a dentist and an aviation firm. On June 21, 1958, Shirley married Charles Evans Fitterer, a native of Pittsburgh, Penn., and then employed as an engineer at Hewlett-Packard Company in Palo Alto.
The couple had four children together. The family moved to Colorado Springs in early 1962, back to California in 1965, and then to Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1968. Near the end of her 30-year marriage, Shirley moved back to California to take care of her aging parents.
Upon completion of a course in basic office skills, Shirley returned to the workforce full time in 1988, working for more than a dozen years at Marketing Resources Plus (MRP) in Palo Alto and several other high tech companies. Shirley retired in 2002 and moved to Santa Rosa.
She was an active member and former deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Rosa and led the church's annual blood drive. She was also a volunteer at Canine Companions for Independence. Her interests included family, gardening, flower arranging, body surfing, and the company of her beloved whippets, Simon and Seal.
Shirley will be remembered for her remarkable generosity, charisma, wit, memory and intuition. She is survived by her brother, C. Richard Strain of Bloomfield, her children, Clifford, Laurence, Jill, and Richard, and six grandchildren, Lauren, Courtney, Ethan, Emily, Jack and Elizabeth.
March 6, 2011
Shirley was a great person and a great friend. I think of her often - she will be missed. She had a wonderfully positive influence on our office in the '80s and '90. I will always remember her love of gardening and the beautiful flowers she used to bring to work. My thoughts are with her children and her extended family.
March 4, 2011
I met Shirley through the First Pres. Church in Santa Rosa. Shirley had great energy and enthusiasm for anything she wanted to accomplish. I admired her strength and fearlessness, especially getting people to sign up for the blood drives. She was a beautiful lady inside and outside. God be praised!
Feb. 28, 2011
Shirly was my step cousin which I along with my brother Bill had the pleasure of spending many good times with when she can to our ranch in Santa Cruz. She was always a lot of fun and just a wonderful person. I know you will be greatly missed by your children and grandchildren.
Feb. 27, 2011
Shirley was my twin brother Tom and my favorite cousin. I will always cherish the many childhood memories of our fun times at our ranch and the beach in Santa Cruz. No one loved the surf and beach more. I'll also cherish our phone conversations these past several months. God bless her and her wonderful family.
Feb. 26, 2011
Shirley exuded positive energy that could be felt whenever you were with her and even not physically near her. She was the den mom, friend and confidant for a lot of the younger folks (like me) at MRP. I will always remember her contagious laugh and smile that we were privileged to be around. God bless you Shirley and rest is peace.
Feb. 26, 2011
I just wanted Shirley's family to know how loved their mother, sister, and grandmother was at MRP. I had the privilege of working with Shirley in the late 80's and most of the 90's. She was such an inspiration and positive influence on my life. I will truly miss her. My prayers are with her family.
Feb. 26, 2011
Shirley will be missed. The time I spent at MRP were some of the best years of my life. Shirley was the glue that held the office together. She was always smiling or laughing. She left an indelible impression on our lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Feb. 25, 2011
a woman who left a fond memory on all she touched. Smile, sense of humor, care and concern for all... a special person I (we) were blessed to know.