Shirley Dufresne

Another angel has received their wings!

Shirley Ann Dufresne of Escanaba, passed away peacefully at home after a short battle with multiple myeloma, on Thursday, February 25th, 2021.

Shirley was a wife, mother, grandma, aunt, sister, friend and more to so many who were fortunate to know her. She had a wonderful smile, always a positive attitude, was a hugger and never complained. Her passion was nursing – selfless acts of kindness, generosity and compassion helped many of those in need. She will be forever missed but never forgotten!!

Shirley was born on June 30, 1938 in Escanaba to John and Bernadette (DeGrand) LaValley. She was raised in Escanaba and graduated from Holy Name High School in 1956 – was a proud Crusader, attending and planning many class reunions. Shirley attended Misericordia School of Nursing in Milwaukee Wisconsin 1956 – 1959. Nursing was her passion! When she was 16 years old, her Grandmother Rose passed away. She knew at that time that she wanted to be a nurse and help others.

On August 13, 1960, Ken and Shirley were united in marriage at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Escanaba. She had met Ken from working at the Red Owl in Escanaba. They established their home in Escanaba where they raised their daughter Susan. They were married for 45 years and truly enjoyed life to the fullest together. From Friday night golfing and fish fries at Escanaba Country Club, going to the packer games, sitting on the 50 yard line—Go Pack!!!, to vacationing winter months in North Fort Meyers, Florida for over 15 years.

Shirley has worked at Saint Francis Hospital 1959 -1963, Delta Menominee Health Department 1964-1986, Doctors Park 1987-1992, She worked with Home Health and Hospice 1979-1999: in 1979 the first hospice team came to the State of Michigan, she helped coordinate it, Walmart 2007-2008 and Christian Park Health Center 2008-2020, where they called her Grandma Shirley.

Shirley loved spending time with her family, life revolved around her two grandsons, Jeremy and James from going to ALL their sporting events in high school to traveling with them. We have seen many concerts in Green Bay, to name a few-Frankie Vali, Alan Jackson and Tim McGraw to traveling to Hawaii and the best of all picking shells on the beach in Florida.

Shirley’s hobbies were knitting, crocheting, working at luncheons at St Vinnies and she loved making crafts!!! She could whip up anything you asked for. She also loved to play cards especially hand and foot and bridge, where she played bridge with the “girls” for over 50 years and other bridge leagues. She was also a shopper, and loved to make a Green Bay Run with Sue.

At one of her Holy Name High School class reunions she invited Sister Catherine (who was her original home ec teacher) to come and speak at the reunion. So Sister Catherine and Sister Peter drove down from Manitowoc Wisconsin to attend. She told Sister that they could stay at her house. They had so much fun coming to Escanaba they came for the next 15 years to visit with my mom and her 3 classmates Mary, Betty and Donna. They had so much fun over the years playing hand and foot.

Shirley loved to be with her family and friends, she would use any excuse to bake or cook for you. From birthdays, holidays, to any special event she could think of, there was always A LOT of delicious food to be found. During the Christmas holidays Sue and Shirley would make trays and trays of cookies for family and friends.
She was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church

Survivors include: her daughter Susan (Jerry) Bosk of Gladstone, brother Dick (Shirley) LaValley of Loretto, Grandsons: Jeremy Bosk (April Poglese,fiancé) of Escanaba and James Bosk of Escanaba, Nieces include: Kristen (Andy) Pritchard, Vulcan: MaryKay Verhamme, Scottsdale, AZ: Barb (Tom) Sankovitch, Green Bay, WI: Nephews include: John LaValley, Green Bay, WI: Bob (Patty) Dufresne, Escanaba and Jim (Sandy) Dufresne Gladstone. Aunts: Theresa Piron of Escanaba, Olga DeGrand of Marquette and Marge LaValley of Wittenburg, WI and many cousins.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Ken, 2 infant daughters, 3 infant sons, brother in law Don Dufresne and sister in law Helen Dufresne.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 from 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Escanaba. The UP Nurses Honor Guard will follow at 11:45 AM. Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 12:00 PM with Rev. Father Fran DeGroot officiating.

Masks and social distancing are mandatory upon entering St Anne’s Church.

Shirley will be laid to rest next to her loving husband Ken in the spring in Holy Cross Cemetery.

The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Dufresne family.

We would like to “Thank” UP Home Health and Hospice for their kind and compassionate care. Also to the ladies who came over and helped mom, you guys are the best!! For Lisa Menard who always came over with a smile and for Dick and Shirl who were always there to listen.

In closing: I lost my mom, my best friend. However she is now with her family in heaven, until we meet again…..I love you mom!!