Shirley Mae Sanders, age 88, passed away peacefully May 9 at home in Republic, Wash.

Shirley was born Nov. 15, 1928, to Richard (Dick) and Lillian Lathim, of Santa Barbara, Calif. Shirley was raised in Santa Barbara and graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1946.

Shirley married Francis “Gene” Arnold Sanders on Dec. 21, 1947, in Santa Barbara. The newlyweds immediately set their course for Rockford, Ill., as Gene returned to his hometown to work for his father, Thomas E., Sanders, in the restaurant business. However, plans quickly changed.

In 1948, Shirley became a Navy wife, while Gene served the next 26 years in the U.S. Navy, traveling in several California naval bases, before being stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor.

Shirley and Gene were able to raise their three children, Cheryl, Val and Ric, mostly in Oak Harbor. Shirley lived in Oak Harbor from 1964 to 2015. In May 2015, Shirley moved to Republic, while her son Ranger Ric and his wife Anita Sanders cared for her until her final day.

Shirley loved riding behind Gene on his motorcycle, camping in tents and later upgraded to their Terry travel trailer, playing poker or any kind of cards and taking lots of road trips throughout the West Coast and Canada.

Her family can attest that she had the need for speed when she was behind the wheel.

Shirley is survived by daughters, Cheryl Ann Quinores of Arlington, Wash., and Valerie Joan Sanders with son-in-law James R. Vile of Tillamook, Ore.; by her favorite son Richard T. “Ranger Ric” Sanders with daughter-in-law Anita Lee Sanders of Republic; by her favorite adopted son Julius B. Henrichsen of Oak Harbor; by grandchildren Shelley Karlsson, Chrissy Shirk, Morgan Sanders with wife Jenny Sanders, Matthew Evans, Kalea Quinores and Kiana Quinores with future husband Rob Gourley; by great-grandchildren Joshua DeVenere, Justin DeVenere with wife Kortnee DeVenere, Rebecca DeVenere with future husband Dvonte Wells, Isaiah Sanders, Elias Sanders, Hezekiah Sanders, Quint Karlsson, Sydney Shirk, Creighton Karlsson, Alika Quinores Gourley and Kenzie Shirk; by great-great-granddaughters Summer DeVenere and Brielle Wells; and last but not least, the many lifetime friends who touched her heart and life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to Shirley’s favorite charity, WAIF (Whidbey Animals Improvement Foundation), 1036 SE Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor, WA. 97277.