Celebrating Shirley Hale

 https://www.mcpeekhoekstra.com/obituary/Shirlely-Hale

Shirley Hale- our Granville Grandma, the House Mom for Pi Phi during my Denison tenure, a dear friend.

Here are the stories about Shirley that we've told for years in life on Newark-Granville Road but have not written them down, today we rectify that!

1. Shirley saw me at church my freshman year (I went once) and she said- Susan Stoner would make a great adopted granddaugther for Beth! That was a wonderful introduction.  It was a relationship that was a foundation and launch to time with dear Shirley! We would have tea parties and dinners and Shirley was part of that amazing group of women: Margaret (Theta House), Woodie (Tri-Delt), Janie Drake, Colleen Pitt to name a few.

2. As I would return to Granville for Denison visits and ultimately with Joe to raise our family, it was this group that welcomed me home and continued to host me for gatherings.  The relationship deepened as Shirley was was the anchor.  When looking for churches she looked at me and said, do not bother visiting other churches this is your home. Thank you Shirley.

No doubt a beautiful tea party and table was set in Heaven on Wednesday and this group was there to welcome you.

3. Shirley was our Granville Grandmother and went to school grandparent days, joined us at concerts and games. She was independent and busy but made time to celebrate and honor all of us. She was Clare's first babysitter- came to Columbus. She hosted Joe and I for a beautiful 25th wedding anniversary dinner - delayed due to her stroke- but a very special dinner for us. Her cross stitch pieces works of art that will always be cherished.  She came to Derby Party when she was celebrating her 90th birthday!

4. Shirley was a force at FPC! When I was Family Time Director she was the hero- we had no budget and really wanted table cloths to set the tables. She found sheets and made them into table cloths- they were fantastic. This action is classic shirley- her commitment, talent, frugality all roled into an important legacy!

I'm struggling to find photos- probably because we really didn't have phones to snap out or even at all durn LOGOS and other church moments. It is okay because the memories run deep and we have stories to share from time together. Shirley loved us, she was my special friend. And the best gift of all we said this to one another two days before she passed, before she want to see God.  Shirley's faith was beautiful and important. Shirley's faith and relationship with God, church and life was a gift and inspiration.