Shirley Mclauchlan

Shirley Lorraine McLauchlan was born on Jan. 10, 1932 in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from North Hollywood High School where she met and subsequently married her high school sweetheart, Jack McLauchlan on August 19, 1950.

In 1957 Jack and Shirley moved to the Seattle area with their 3 young children, Lenora, Jack, and Linda and Jack obtained employment with the Boeing Company. They lived in Des Moines, WA. for 29 years before moving to their current home on Treasure Island, near Allyn, WA.

Shirley was a devoted homemaker and loving mother. She will be fondly remembered for her love of cooking and baking. A typical visit from her would include cinnamon rolls, assorted pies and caramel corn. It was always a treat to visit her house, too and we always left with way more than we came with. She was an excellent cook and nobody ever went away hungry family or friends. All holidays were special and the variety and amount of food was always incredible.

In her spare time Shirley loved to bowl, garden, knit, crochet, play bingo and read romance novels. Everyone reaped the benefits with blankets, a pair of slippers, dishcloths, or the much loved scrubbies!

She also had an adventurous side which included such things as camping in a cabin in central British Columbia, or traveling across country in a small Winnebago or even in earlier days a tent. These are truly memories that are treasured by her family and reflected upon often. She managed to get everything and everyone organized and comfortable in what sometimes could be difficult circumstances. She was the cook, nurse, entertainer, and social director. Particularly heroic was her effort to keep her family content on an epic vacation in 1969 across the entire U.S. and back! She came through it, as always, with flying colors.

Shirley also loved traveling with husband Jack and was fortunate to accompany him on several Boeing business trips. She has stood on the Great Wall of China, and toured the continents of Asia, Europe and South America. In retirement years she and Jack traveled the United States including a cruise to Alaska and a riverboat cruise up the Mississippi.

Shirley was also a collector of many things. She liked Hummel figurines, fancy teacups and plates, stuffed animals, and the most numerous collection, DUCKS.

She was very involved with her local TOPS organization, most recently serving as their weight recorder. Shirley formed many great friendships and always looked forward to their Wednesday meetings. She was always caring and putting others needs before her own, very happy to organize the holiday parties and events while encouraging everyone to have a good time and enjoy themselves. She was proud of her recent accomplishment of becoming a “KOP” within the organization.

Her greatest pride were her six grandchildren, Jack, Corey, Dan, Collin, Alison and Kelsey, and her five great grandchildren, Kylie, Jackson, Kailani, Parker and Helena. She was able to enjoy and spoil each one. She loved them all so much.

Shirley will always be remembered in our hearts for making everyone feel special and will be a comforting spirit in our lives.

There will be a celebration of Shirley’s life April 9th at the Grapeview Fire Station, 4350 E. Grapeview Rd. from 1:00-3:00. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a charity of your choice.