Obituary of Shirlee Marie Bailey

Shirlee Marie Bailey (nee Snell) Age 85 died on July 23, 2016. Shirlee was born in Viroqua, Wisconsin on November 2, 1930. Due to a sibling illness in her immediate family and challenging economic times, Shirlee was raised by and ultimately adopted by her uncle and aunt, Lee and Frankie Snell, and was their only child. Shirlee attended St. Francis nursing school in LaCrosse, Wisconsin and became a registered nurse. While working in Madison, WI as an RN, she met her future husband Jim Bailey on a blind date. Shirlee and Jim raised two boys (Curt and Tom) while moving to various locations following Jim's sales engineering career. She relished her role as homemaker and mother, maintaining a beautiful home, volunteering at school, and shuttling her sons to all their athletic endeavors. We look back in awe at everything our Shirlee did for us and we are forever grateful for her loving care. Shirlee also had a passion for interior decorating with a special interest in antiques. She used her skills to decorate her many homes and to organize estate sales for her nursing club; proceeds funded scholarships for community members interested in pursuing nursing degrees. Shirlee cared deeply about her community. As founding residents of Celebration, FL , an innovative Disney community, Jim and Shirlee received the inaugural Good Neighbor award. As wife, mother, neighbor, antique collector, or estate sale coordinator, Shirlee took on each role with a conscientious work ethic, an attention to detail, and an emphasis on quality. Her love for her family was unconditional and unlimited. Her positive influence will live on through the family members she has left behind. She is survived by her loving husband Jim, her sons Curt (Jenny) and Tom (Jenny) and her grandchildren Ben, Danny, Pippa, and Roland. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 10:30am at First United Methodist Church of Birmingham, 1589 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham, MI 48009 Donations may be made to Seasons Hospice Foundation, First United Methodist Church of Birmingham or the Alzheimer's Association. Please share a memory of Shirlee by signing her guestbook.