Shirley Nell Parks Abel
1935 - 2012
Shirley Abel of Hamilton passed away Friday, March 2, 2012, from a devastating stroke at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.
She was born April 21, 1935, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Oscar and Helen Parks. She attended school in Council Bluffs, graduating from high school in 1953. She married Barry Abel on Dec. 22, 1955. They made their home in Council Bluffs for several years, where Shirley was a teacher. Four children were born during this time, Pam, Shellee, Brian and Lee.
In 1968, the Abel family moved to Hamilton where Shirley continued her education at the University of Montana by earning her bachelor's degree. For many years Shirley was the director of the Ravalli County Head Start program, a job she thoroughly enjoyed.
Shirley was very active in the Hamilton community in Beta Sigma Phi sorority, volunteer work at Ravalli County Credit Union and on the board of the Commodity Center. Shirley was an outgoing, involved, caring person, making lifelong friends at every encounter. She was a loyal Griz fan and Broncos supporter, never missing the games. Her interest in education and educating children was always in the forefront, especially her grandchildren.
Retirement brought new interests for Shirley in antique musical bird cages and in attracting and viewing the abundant wildlife that was visible from her front and back doors. Birds were her delight as she would identify each new one and excitedly record it. Another of Shirley's greatest pleasures were her daily walks with Barry and calls and visits from her children and grandchildren.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Richard and grandson Bailey.
1935 - 2012
Shirley Abel of Hamilton passed away Friday, March 2, 2012, from a devastating stroke at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.
She was born April 21, 1935, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Oscar and Helen Parks. She attended school in Council Bluffs, graduating from high school in 1953. She married Barry Abel on Dec. 22, 1955. They made their home in Council Bluffs for several years, where Shirley was a teacher. Four children were born during this time, Pam, Shellee, Brian and Lee.
In 1968, the Abel family moved to Hamilton where Shirley continued her education at the University of Montana by earning her bachelor's degree. For many years Shirley was the director of the Ravalli County Head Start program, a job she thoroughly enjoyed.
Shirley was very active in the Hamilton community in Beta Sigma Phi sorority, volunteer work at Ravalli County Credit Union and on the board of the Commodity Center. Shirley was an outgoing, involved, caring person, making lifelong friends at every encounter. She was a loyal Griz fan and Broncos supporter, never missing the games. Her interest in education and educating children was always in the forefront, especially her grandchildren.
Retirement brought new interests for Shirley in antique musical bird cages and in attracting and viewing the abundant wildlife that was visible from her front and back doors. Birds were her delight as she would identify each new one and excitedly record it. Another of Shirley's greatest pleasures were her daily walks with Barry and calls and visits from her children and grandchildren.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Richard and grandson Bailey.
Shirley Nell Parks Abel
1935 - 2012
Shirley Abel of Hamilton passed away Friday, March 2, 2012, from a devastating stroke at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.
She was born April 21, 1935, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Oscar and Helen Parks. She attended school in Council Bluffs, graduating from high school in 1953. She married Barry Abel on Dec. 22, 1955. They made their home in Council Bluffs for several years, where Shirley was a teacher. Four children were born during this time, Pam, Shellee, Brian and Lee.
In 1968, the Abel family moved to Hamilton where Shirley continued her education at the University of Montana by earning her bachelor's degree. For many years Shirley was the director of the Ravalli County Head Start program, a job she thoroughly enjoyed.
Shirley was very active in the Hamilton community in Beta Sigma Phi sorority, volunteer work at Ravalli County Credit Union and on the board of the Commodity Center. Shirley was an outgoing, involved, caring person, making lifelong friends at every encounter. She was a loyal Griz fan and Broncos supporter, never missing the games. Her interest in education and educating children was always in the forefront, especially her grandchildren.
Retirement brought new interests for Shirley in antique musical bird cages and in attracting and viewing the abundant wildlife that was visible from her front and back doors. Birds were her delight as she would identify each new one and excitedly record it. Another of Shirley's greatest pleasures were her daily walks with Barry and calls and visits from her children and grandchildren.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Richard and grandson Bailey.
1935 - 2012
Shirley Abel of Hamilton passed away Friday, March 2, 2012, from a devastating stroke at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.
She was born April 21, 1935, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Oscar and Helen Parks. She attended school in Council Bluffs, graduating from high school in 1953. She married Barry Abel on Dec. 22, 1955. They made their home in Council Bluffs for several years, where Shirley was a teacher. Four children were born during this time, Pam, Shellee, Brian and Lee.
In 1968, the Abel family moved to Hamilton where Shirley continued her education at the University of Montana by earning her bachelor's degree. For many years Shirley was the director of the Ravalli County Head Start program, a job she thoroughly enjoyed.
Shirley was very active in the Hamilton community in Beta Sigma Phi sorority, volunteer work at Ravalli County Credit Union and on the board of the Commodity Center. Shirley was an outgoing, involved, caring person, making lifelong friends at every encounter. She was a loyal Griz fan and Broncos supporter, never missing the games. Her interest in education and educating children was always in the forefront, especially her grandchildren.
Retirement brought new interests for Shirley in antique musical bird cages and in attracting and viewing the abundant wildlife that was visible from her front and back doors. Birds were her delight as she would identify each new one and excitedly record it. Another of Shirley's greatest pleasures were her daily walks with Barry and calls and visits from her children and grandchildren.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Richard and grandson Bailey.
Gravesite Details
Interment 21 July 2018
Family Members
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