What an awesome celebration you are savoring!  Your hearing is restored, your mind is clear and you've at last met your mother.  I picture you hugging your son, Tommy for the first time in 73 years. Reunited with your grandparents and with John; your one and only boyfriend.  How marvelous.  Praise God.

Thank you Dear Mitey for being the one and only you! So special in so many ways, but most all to us, your beautiful smile, shinning eyes and wonderful laugh.
We love you! God Bless you!

So many wonderful memories from so much time spent at the Gates' house on Old Military Road.  Always something happening!!  And Shirley's smile was so welcoming.  Our condolences to all of the family.  She was a very, very special person!

Aunt Shirley was my mother, Jeanne Gates Gardner, best school friend and married her brother John. It's so sad to see her gone. She was always a lively and funny presence at all family gatherings she attended. We'll all miss her a lot! God knows His own!

Her infectious smile and twinkling eyes are what I think of when I remember Aunt Shirley.  I feel so lucky to have had so many lovely Sunday dinners with her when she was at Carman Oaks with Jeanne Gardner.  She was always my favorite at those rare family gatherings.  I'm so sorry that I lost touch with her these past few years.  My loss.  What a great, long life we have to celebrate!

Your mother was as nearly a perfect human being as I have ever known. She was a loving mother, devoted wife, skilled domestic goddess; funny, smart, caring, kind, and a true servant of God. She maintained a level of physical vigor and self discipline well into old age. I was always very impressed that she had the trim figure of a 23 year old when she was 83. I remember that when she and Mom lived at Carman Oaks, she was always encouraging Mother to join her on her epic walks around the neighborhood. I don't know that she was ever successful at getting Mom to join her, but she never, never gave up trying. She always believed in the best possibilities for all people.
Shirley was one of my mother's dearest lifelong friends. Your parents were the house-guests that my parents never tired of. Their visits were eagerly anticipated and fondly remembered. But I have news for you kids: your mom was a smoker!! Yes, when your parents came up to Lake Oswego to visit my folks, my mom and yours would stay up late talking, long after the guys had gone to bed. Mom was a heavy smoker for many years (she quit for good at age 75). When Aunt Shirley and Mom were having their girl chats, she would join Mom, and would fire up her "Annual Cigarette". Good times.
Some of my favorite memories are the stories Aunt Shirley would tell. Here's one; please forgive me if the exact details are a bit muddled - I heard her tell it over 45 years ago:
I remember she said that you had several pet guinea pigs when you were kids, which you decided to name after various relatives. No problem, until some business guests of your dad's came for an important dinner. As the grown-ups ate dinner, you kids burst into the room with exciting news. In your innocence, you proudly announced to everyone: "Gramma Nora just mated with Uncle Fred!"
Sending my love

Oh, dear Shirley.  How the Shutes loved you, John and the whole family.   So many fun afternoons around the pool!  We were also so lucky to have one of your German Shepherd pups, Binden(Bindy).   So many, many memories. Thanks you and John for being such good friends to my mom and dad.  Much love to all the family!    You are all so special!

I have many fond memories of dear Aunt Shirley, or "dear Shirl," as my father would say.  I treasure the times we walked, arm in arm, around the block at Carman Oaks. Aunt Shirley was always loving,generous, cheerful, and full of ways to enjoy life.  Sending love to all!