Shirley Rodriguez died peacefully in her sleep at home with her daughter and grandson on April 12, 2009, a week shy of her 61st birthday. She was born April 18, 1948 in Brunswick, Ga., the number one daughter of two younger sisters.

Shirley first lived in Oak Harbor as a youngster, and it held a special place in her heart, but she also made homes in San Diego, Calif. and Orlando, Fla., as well as Georgia. When she married her musician husband, José Pedro Rodriguez in 1969, she traveled with him throughout Mexico. After the births of their daughter, Angelica, and son, José Alejandro, the San Diego area became home base.

Independent and resilient, with a wry sense of humor, Shirley was a devoted mother who raised her two children as a single parent. She was a tireless worker with a wealth of interests, who worked for a group of San Diego anesthesiologists for many years before opening her own flower stand, decorated cakes, operated a veterinarian mobile vaccination clinic in Florida, ran various construction site field offices and was in charge of the Hillcrest Association in San Diego. Upon her retirement, necessitated by health issues, Shirley returned to Oak Harbor and made her home here. Her daughter and grandson soon followed, and the families lived within a few houses of each other.

Shirley had a lifelong love of animals, particularly dogs, and she and Legend were a common sight at the off-leash dog park. Her greatest joy, though, was reserved for her grandson Demetrius, with whom she loved spending time. Since he lived right around the corner, Demetrius and “Gummy” spent many happy hours together, making crafts, visiting parks and watching movies.

Shirley is survived by her devoted daughter, Angelica Drum, and adoring grandson, Demetrius, of Oak Harbor; her son, José “Alex,” his wife Maru and grandchildren Stephanie, Andrea, Michael and AJ; a few special friends and many extended family members throughout the states.

In keeping with Shirley’s beliefs, no services were held. Cremation was compassionately handled by Whidbey Memorial Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc., Oak Harbor. Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest register at www.whidbeymemorial.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the shelter where Shirley adopted Legend: NOAH, 31300 Brandstrom Rd., Stanwood, WA 98292 or thenoahcenter.org

Shirley had already started packing for a trip to Key Largo in June. Now she can get there before hurricane season!