Shirley Ann Howard 79 resident of Fernwood, ID died May 25, 2011 at the home of her son Tom Howard at Fernwood. She was born Nov. 21, 1931 to Ira and Evelyn Jennings Barker at Wenatchee, WA. She grew up in Chelan, WA. At an early age, she married Orville Maybes. They had three children and made their home at Wenatchee. They were later divorced. She married Joseph E. Howard, with whom she had three more children. He was a logger and they made their home in South Eastern Alaska. She moved to McMinville, OR. in 1978. Her husband died in 1986. She married Lee Hallock of Wenatchee, WA. in the late 1980's and they made their home at Wenatchee. She moved to New Jersey in the 1990's and worked as a Nanny before returning the the West Coast before the turn of the new millennium. She was later divorced from Mr. Hallock. She lived with her daughter Joanne for 5 years in Grants Pass, OR before moving to Fernwood, ID 2 ½ years ago. She was a member of the Wallace, Idaho Church of God. Most of her life was spent caring for others. She has been a waitress and a pilot-car driver; a babysitter, a nanny, and a caregiver. Her hobbies were reading, and knitting sweaters Years ago, if you were close to Shirley, you would get a custom knitted cardigan sweater with a personal motif on the back. She is survived by her children, Joseph "Skip" Howard of Bow, WA, Joanne Howard-Castro of Seaside, OR, Rev. Thomas Howard of Fernwood, ID, James Larson of Calgary Alberta, Canada and Jackie Bryant of Post Falls, ID Also surviving are her brothers Merle of Camano Island, WA, Darrell of Eugene, OR and sister DeVota of Wenatchee, WA. She was preceded in death by her son Charles Thomas as well as brothers Kenny and Melvin and sisters Barbara and Emma Jane. Private family graveside services for her will be at the Chelan, WA with a gathering of family and friends following at her sister DeVota's home at Wenatchee, WA on June 11, 2011 at noon. The reception will be open to all wishing to pay respect and honor to Shirley. Visit her online memorial and sign her guest book at www.hodgefuneralhome.com.
