Shirley Patricia Zais' Obituary
TACOMA, WA. Shirley Patricia Zais went to be with our Lord on June 2, 2003, following a long and courageous battle against breast cancer. She was 75, and was the wife of Col. Richard A. Zais, USAF, who proceeded her in death in February 2000. Shirley was born on September 11, 1927 in Eureka, California. She was the daughter of Henry and Marian Parsons, and was raised in Crescent City California together with her three brothers, Wayne, Dale and Gary Parsons. Her familyÂ's roots date back to the early 1700Â's in the Colonial period of our country.Shirley was secretary of the student body in high school and made many lifelong friends. She was an honor roll student and graduated as valedictorian of Del Norte High School in 1945 where she gave the commencement address. She was an avid learner and her favorite subjects were math, history, social studies and English. ShirleyÂ's scholastics and hard work earned her a scholarship from the California Scholarship Federation to attend the University of California at Berkley in the fall of 1945. While attending a college ballroom dance class she met a young Army Captain named Richard A. Zais. They became sweethearts and were married in 1948. Together they enjoyed 51 years of a loving, devoted and endearing marriage until her husbandÂ's death in 2000.Soon after their marriage, Shirley left the University to become a fulltime military wife, homemaker and mother. She gave birth to her son Richard A. Zais Jr. in 1949. Her second child, daughter Kathleen was born in 1952, and her third child, daughter Marilyn, was born in 1956. Later in life she became the proud, loving and devoted Grandmother of six cherished grandchildren: Jennifer Brandler, Emily Brandler, Justin Brandler, Michael Oechsner, Trisha Oechsner, and Eleanor Zais.As a military wife, Shirley supported her husband throughout his military and civilian career as a loyal and devoted wife, partner and dedicated mother who created a comfortable loving home throughout their marriage of over 50 years. ShirleyÂ's dignity and style were ever present. She was the consummate hostess, always exuding class and sparkle. Over the years the family moved and lived in eight states across the country following her husbandÂ's next duty assignment. The moves and separations demanded by a military life were never easy, but Shirley steadfastly supported and embraced her husbands demanding career of service to our country. She managed to find and meet new friends for herself and her family wherever they lived, and she made sure that her children knew and appreciated the contributions and sacrifices of our military services to our nation and the true values, beliefs, foundations and heritage of our country. Upon her husbands retirement from the Air Force in 1966, Shirley and the family moved to Bellevue, Washington where they established their permanent home residence for 34 years. She moved to Tacoma Washington 2000 to be closer to her growing family after her husband passed away.Shirley was a great beauty and possessed a high intelligence as well. She was an avid reader, an exceptionally gifted writer, and a life long learner. She placed a high value on education for all of her family. She and her husband Dick, sacrificed their own desires and financial needs to help pay for and ensure that each of her children were able to attend college. This commitment extended to the grandchildren through the purchase of college savings bonds for their future educational advancement.Shirley also had great appreciation for the arts, entertainment and culture in every city in which she lived. She was a visionary community volunteer over the years her children attended school, starting an innovative church pre-school for young children in Chelmsford, Mass.; working for and serving as a board member for the PTA; a Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, and raising funds for many charitable organizations, especially for children. In addition she helped to raise funds and volunteered her time to help save the First Chamber Dance Co. of Seattle. She also enjoyed gardening, politics, debate, the History Channel, OÂ'Reilly and C-Span!ShirleyÂ's greatest love, passion and commitment in her life however, was to her faith in the Lord and to her family, including its many extended members. Her family was the focal point and center of her life. She devoted all of her energy to her family. ShirleyÂ's home was the gathering place for her children, grandchildren and their friends; and her and her husbandÂ's relatives and friends. She had a remarkably gentle, kind and generous spirit of caring for family and friends; with boundless, unconditional love, and a pureness of heart, soul, wisdom and grace that inspired and touched all who knew her. She supported, and nurtured her children and grandchildrenÂ's special interests and hobbies by helping to finance and transport them to go swimming, horseback riding, travel, take vacations, take ballet or piano/organ lessons, attend and participate in numerous sporting and cultural events. In addition to these activities, however, she also emphasized to all her children the importance, humility and grace that comes from giving willingly and generously to others less fortunate and enduring great hardship in their life. She was a woman of uncommon honor, dignity, character and compassion. Most significantly, she was a selfless giver to her familyÂ's needs, and was a servant of the Lord all of her life. She was a caregiver for her ill parents in their final years; was a loyal, loving and devoted sister to her brothers, and her sisters-in-laws; was a faithful, devoted, loving companion and supportive wife to her husband of 51 years, becoming his personal caregiver in his final years of declining health As Mother and Grandmother she was always there for her children and grandchildren to listen, play, encourage, advise, teach, inspire, protect, appreciate, celebrate, renew, and bless with her sweet and endearing love. The, biggest joy and satisfaction of her life was being a wife, homemaker, mother and grandmother, and to be blessed by the Lord to live to an age where she could continue to be an important part of her childrenÂ's and grandchildrenÂ's lives. She was dearly and deeply loved and revered by all of her family.Shirley is survived by her beloved children, son Richard A. Zais Jr. of Yakima, WA., daughter Kathleen Oechsner of Chehalis WA., and daughter Marilyn Brandler and her dear son-in-law Bruce Brandler of Tacoma WA.; and her six cherished grandchildren: Jennifer, Emily, Justin, Trisha, Michael, and Eleanor.Viewing will be Saturday 6/7/03, from 12pm to 9pm, and Sunday 6/8/03 from 12pm to 9pm at Mountain View Funeral Home 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W. Ph. # 253-584-0252; www.mountainviewtacoma.com. Funeral services will be at 10:00 Am on Monday June 9, 2003 at Mt. View Funeral Home-Garden Chapel. Internment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA. at 1:00 Pm. Reception follows at the Renaissance/Narrows Glen 8201 Sixth Av. Tacoma, WA.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Crisis Pregnancy Center of Pierce County, ChildrenÂ's Home Society of Tacoma, World Vision, American Cancer Society, and The Ronald McDonald House Charity in Seattle.
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