Shirley Jean Walker McCauley, 93, of Comstock Park, Michigan, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2023. She will be remembered as a kind and loving wife, mother, and friend who found humor and joy in every day. She loved to sing, dance, and share funny stories of growing up in Detroit with her many beloved relatives and life-long friends.

She was born to the late Russell and Donalda Walker on July 16, 1929, in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada. The family moved to Detroit during the depression and Shirley became a citizen in 1945. She was forever proud of her Canadian heritage.

Shirley married Donald Eugene (Gene) McCauley on July 17, 1948, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Detroit. The couple was married 59 years before Gene's passing in 2007. The couple began their married life in Detroit and moved with their four children to Elk Rapids in 1968. As all great moms do, she supported her children's many school activities and was a fixture at countless cross-country meets, football games, basketball games, track and field events, tennis tournaments, choir concerts, and plays. She and Gene enjoyed entertaining, and especially enjoyed card parties with their Elk Rapids friends.

Shirley liked to keep busy and worked in a variety of part-jobs over the years. She especially liked working at Milliken's Department Store alongside the many friends she made. Later in life, she volunteered at the Munson Hospital gift shop.

Always a lover of dogs, Shirley never missed an opportunity to greet a dog and was especially happy when her "grand dogs" came to visit. Shirley also loved birds, and enjoyed the company of her parakeet, "Sparty."

Prior to moving to Comstock Park in 2022, Shirley resided at Marsh Pointe, a senior apartment in Haslett, Michigan. She loved maintaining her independence yet found comfort in having neighbors her age for companionship. She enjoyed working in the shared garden, shopping, participating in weekly sing-alongs, daily walks, and playing rousing games of Farkle with her many friends.

Shirley is survived by: her children, Timothy McCauley of Traverse City, Tracey McCauley of Comstock Park, Daniel (Jane) McCauley of Yorktown, Virginia, and Michele McCauley of Grand Rapids; four grandchildren, Gabriel, Danielle (Ryan), Jack, and Ryan; seven great-grandchildren, Mason, Liam, Ashlen, Clair, Mallory, Cameron, and Eloise, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Denise Walters, who was like a daughter to Shirley for many years and provided loving care and support to her in this last year.

Shirley was preceded in death by: her beloved husband, Gene; parents; and brother, Jack.

The family will celebrate Shirley's life this summer when she is taken "home" to her beloved Traverse City where she will rest alongside Gene and her mother at the Acme Township Cemetery.

The family expresses sincere gratitude to Corewell (Spectrum) Health Hospice for the compassionate and comforting care each care team member provided to Shirley and the family during the final days of her life, especially RN Amber and Chaplin Bethany.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Cherryland Humane Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com