Shirley Anne Marsh, 97

Shirley Anne Marsh, 97, residing in Kalispell, died on Oct. 30, 2021.

She is survived by her daughter, Sara Rae Marsh; and daughter-in-law, Karen Elizabeth Pfeifer; and four grandchildren, Daniel Sawyer Marsh, Rose Sawyer Marsh, Alex Pfeifer-Rosenblum, Rebecca Pfeifer-Rosenblum and grandson-in-law Mike McKellar.

She was predeceased by her brother, Richard Peterson; and her sons, William Andrew Marsh and Benjamin Raymond Marsh; and her ex-husband, Raymond Marsh; and her dear friend, Mary Ruth Mumby.

Shirley was born on Jan. 21, 1924, to Alice (Taylor) and Walter Peterson in Washington, Iowa. She moved to California in the 1940s, worked as a secretary for the shipyard workers during the war, and later earned a degree in anthropology from UC Berkeley in 1952, graduating phi beta kapa. She raised her three children during the ‘50s and became an elementary school teacher in the ‘60s in the Berkeley Public schools. After retirement she traveled throughout the U.S. and Europe, living in Colorado and Massachusetts before settling in Montana in 2000.

Shirley was an avid reader, news watcher and advocate for the causes she believed in, especially defending the rights of the vulnerable and disenfranchised. She had a motherly, loving nature and there were many who claimed her as “Mom” throughout the years. She also had a quick wit and often enjoyed a good laugh with friends. She will be missed and long remembered, with love.

The family plans to have a memorial service some time in the spring when it will hopefully be safer to gather.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Flathead Food Bank in her honor.