Shirley Lou (Smith) Oare

Shirley Lou (Smith) Oare, 88, called Sally by her Ohio family, passed away Thursday July 23, 2020 at 8:24 pm, 9 days from her 89th birthday. She resided at Pacifica in Ellensburg, Washington. Her primary cause of death was COVID-19 though she also suffered from dementia.

Shirley was born August 2, 1931 at home in Millersburg, Ohio to Donald Clinton and Adeline Mandella (Hughes) Smith. She was the middle of five children. 

Arthur Albert Oare of Fredericksburg, Ohio told Shirley he would never amount to anything if she didn't marry him. They wed on June 25, 1954 at the Methodist Church in Millersburg, Ohio.

Shirley put herself through The Ohio State University graduating with a BA in Education with a Minor in Mathematics. Art was an Engineer and together they moved their growing family to Virginia, California, Idaho and New York. Shirley taught fourth and fifth grades at Roberts Elementary in Fair Oaks, California and Ethel Boyes Elementary in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She bought an Army surplus weather unit in Fair Oaks and she and her students learned how to forecast the weather. The kids announced the weather to the school each day. She loved to have her students out to her Idaho house in the country during the summer to make a Pioneer Breakfast or bring their telescopes out to stargaze. She was a member of the American Association of University Women (empowering women since 1881) serving as president of her chapter in Wellsville, NY. Shirley was a proud feminist.

Shirley loved to sew and do needle arts. She tailored amazing work clothes for her daughter, Julie, and made gorgeous wedding dresses for brides around town.

Art and Shirley retired to play golf at the “Plantation” in Leesburg, Florida in 1992. They spent many happy years traveling North America in their RV.

Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband Art, and her siblings Ross, Jack, and Donny. She is survived by her daughter Julie (John) Springer of Everett, Washington; her son David (Becky Gray) Oare of San Francisco, California; her sister Ginny (Gabe) Rosza of Wooster, Ohio and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Mom’s name to Donors Choose (www.donorschoose.org). Donors Choose is an online charity that allows individuals to give directly to teachers and students. Donors can browse classroom causes by location, materials requested or greatest need. Each classroom is profiled, with the requested supplies itemized and quantified, and a statement presented by the instructor. Once the user selects a classroom, Donors Choose facilitates the donation process, easily and efficiently connecting needy teachers and students with gracious benefactors.

Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Shirley’s family.  Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com