Shirley Ann Genereaux (m. Bohlin), surrounded by her husband and five children, died peacefully in her sleep April 29 from pancreatic cancer in Oak Harbor at age 81.
She leaves behind her husband Bob (Oak Harbor); daughter Lynn Goebel, her husband Greg (Oak Harbor) and their children Gregory and Millie; son Mark, his wife Debbie (Collierville, Tenn.) and their children Nicholas, Zachary and Gabriella; son Michael, his wife Sharon (Ormond Beach, Fla.) and their children Benjamin and Grace; son Mathew, his wife Sandy (Issaquah, Wash.) and their children Melissa and Tony; and son Max and his fiancé Kim Kobata (Seattle).
Shirley was born on Dec. 24, 1935, in Sheridan, Wyo., to Markus and Josephine Bohlin (m. Gifford). She graduated from Sheridan High School in 1953 and attended Sheridan College, where she met Bob, her husband of 61 years.
Prior to her marriage, she was employed by Holly Seed, Elks Dining Room and as a dental assistant for the Kane Dental Clinic.
During her 20 years as a military wife, she was at times employed as a dental assistant and pre-school teacher. Following her husband’s military retirement, and with her five children in college, she enjoyed a very successful 10-year career as a nutrition counselor.
Beneath her smiling, happy disposition was an intelligent and determined competitor.
She quickly mastered games or tasks and routinely received awards — among them is a watch from the Denver Post for being the best football season win predictor.
After a brief contract bridge career, she garnered 12 master points. She bowled competitively for a season and won first place. The wellbeing of her marriage and children was always priority one for Shirley. Her children and grandchildren’s academic, athletic and career successes were a frequent joy that she greatly cherished.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Jarl, brother Ronald and sister Cecilia.
The family wishes to thank the following for their timely and compassionate care: Dr. Picozzi and staff at Virginia Mason Hospital and Whidbey Health Oncology, ER, Home Health and Hospice
A celebration of Shirley’s life is pending.
