Shirley Louise Marlowe, 82, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2013 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Blue Springs.
Shirley was born June 1, 1931 in Fargo, ND to Harry and Vera (Twombly) Ratcliffe. She grew up in Arlington, VA where she played musical instruments with her 3 siblings. She attended Graceland College and received her R.N. from the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital. While at Graceland she was a member of the orchestra and met her husband, Edwin J. Marlowe. She worked for many years as a nurse at hospitals and nursing homes. Shirley was a member of Community of Christ, where she was ordained first a Teacher and then an Elder. She also played piano and organ for services and enjoyed singing in the choir. Shirley and Ed were married on Jan. 1, 1954 in Arlington, VA and started their marriage in Kitchener, Ontario where their two sons were born. They then moved to Michigan where they raised their family, before settling in Grain Valley after retirement. Both Shirley and Ed volunteered at St Mary’s Hospital since moving to MO. Shirley was a caring and loving wife, mother, sister and friend to many. She loved reading scriptures and other religious writings as well as reading novels.
Shirley is survived by her loving and devoted husband Ed of almost 60 years, her son, David and his wife DeAnn, her son Kenneth, step grandchildren Summer, Brandon, and Alexis, step great-grandchildren Evan and Novalee, and her siblings Barbara Lee Collins and her husband Hale, Roger Ratcliffe and his wife Nelda, and Stan Ratcliffe and his wife Linda.
Services will be held at Oak Grove Community of Christ at 1803 S. Broadway on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 2:00pm. Lunch will be served at the church at 12:30 for family and friends.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441