After a short illness, Shirley Ann Denney passed away peacefully on Sept. 29, 2013 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon at the age of 59.

She was one of three children born to Arturo and Lillian Molina in Lynwood, Calif. Although always shy and very timid, Shirley still managed to be a cheerleader for a local football team for a couple of seasons. In years to follow, she became very involved in Girl Scouting.

While in her teens, Shirley became a photographer’s assistant taking pictures of children, a job she loved. Shirley had many, many friends in high school and was a great friend to all.

It was never really spoken amongst her siblings but they always knew she would be there if they ever needed her.

Shirley, at age 18, married a young Navy man and the family was sent to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. After a divorce, Shirley decided she wanted to raise her two young sons in Oak Harbor, rather than Los Angeles, so Oak Harbor became their home.

Shirley had an incredible love of children of all ages and soon found work as a para-educator with the Oak Harbor School District, working at Olympic View Elementary School in 1989. In 1993, she moved to Hillcrest Elementary, where she remained until her retirement in June of this year.

Much of her time was spent with children with special needs. Shirley even had students come to her home and spend time with them outside of school. On more than one occasion, she did respite care for some of the special children to give the parents a break and charged nothing.

Shirley was an extremely giving person, who would do anything for anyone, without asking for anything in return.

She also loved doing craft work, shopping and collecting shoes and Coach purses. It was a very sad day for her, when her health required her to give up shoes and wear an orthotic boot.

Shirley is survived by two sons, Casey and Kyle, and one grandson, Jacob, all of Oak Harbor, by one sister, Norma Mooney, husband, Dale, and one brother Arthur Molina of Arizona. Shirley also leaves behind her beloved dog Sofie.

A Celebration of Life for Shirley Denney will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at Wallin Funeral Home, 1811 NE 16th Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277 with Gary Wallin, Certified Life Celebrant, officiating.

Private family graveside services will be held at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville.

Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at the Book of Memories hosted by Wallin Funeral Home at www.wallinfuneralhome.com