Shirley A. Vandevelde

Shirley A. Vandevelde

December 20, 1935 – January 19, 2025

Shirley A. Vandevelde, age 89 of Monroe, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at the Fountainview of Monroe Nursing Home.

Born December 20, 1935 in Monroe. Shirley was the daughter of the late Glenn and Stella (Zabik) Shankleton. Shirley attended St. Joseph Catholic School of Maybee graduating in 1949. She graduated from St. Mary Catholic Academy of Monroe in 1953.

She met the love of her life while working at Independent Diary, Andrew Vandevelde. They got married on July 31, 1954. They raised a family of three children. Together they enjoyed attending the Monroe County Fair and parade. Attending concerts in the summer at St. Mary Park as well as various Church festivals throughout Monroe County. They enjoyed watching firework displays and attending their grandkids sporting events and functions. Andrew sadly passed away on July 22, 2024, just shy of their 70th anniversary.

After Independent Diary, she worked at Michigan Bell Telephone, then Gruber’s Market, Vince’s Riverside Drive-In, Modern Packaging, Micka’s Market, Sears Roebuck and Company, retiring in 1994. She lastly worked at Pitcher’s Greenhouse, where she loved planting and caring for the beautiful flowers.

Shirley had many hobbies including reading, where she enjoyed Danielle Steel novels. Most recently, reading Amish fiction books, where the strong, resilient individuals, their conflicts, romance, and family dynamics ensued.  Shirley enjoyed gardening, tending to her vegetables and flower beds. She was quite the seamstress with her treadle Singer Sewing Machine, which she used to make clothing for her children. Eventually enjoying an electric sewing machine which she used for mending clothing and making quilts.

Shirley also enjoyed cooking and baking for her loved ones. She enjoyed a good strong cup of black coffee and had quite the sweet tooth. Shirley dressed youthfully and stylish and made sure to top it off with a great pair of earrings and a bracelet. Most importantly she loved spending time with her family and cherished grandchildren. She enjoyed sharing stories about her childhood. She could always tell a good story, which captivated your attention and may sometimes surprise you or make you laugh! Shirley will be known for her big smile she greeted everyone with and in her day-an enthusiastic pep in her step. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Beloved mother of Michael (Laurie) Vandevelde of Newport, Deborah (Jeff Terry) Jacobs of Fenton, and Lois (Mark) Kubik of Monroe. Loving grandmother of Jill, Jamie, Ben, Lindsay, Alex, Kyle, Nathan, and Corey. Great grandmother of nine, with the latest, (Grey), born November 4, 2024.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by husband: Andrew; great granddaughter: Kamryn Lamb; siblings: Marjorie Schmelz and Ronald Shankleton; stepmother: Dorothy Shankleton; brother in laws: Richard Schmelz and Gustave Laroy; and son in law: Craig Jacobs.

In accordance with the family’s wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be a memorial gathering on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at St. Michael Catholic Church of Monroe at 9:30 am. Mass of the resurrection will begin at 10:30 am. Officiating is Fr. David Burgard. Burial of cremains will be at St. Joseph Cemetery at a later date.

The Vandevelde family would like to extend a special thank you to Beacon Hospice and to Fountainview of Monroe for the excellent care they provided to Shirley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Shirley are suggested to St. Michaels Catholic Church of Monroe.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com