Marietta Shirley

Marietta Elizabeth Wermes Shirley died peacefully in her home on May 11, 2013 in Corrales, New Mexico. She was surrounded by the faith, hope, joy and love of family members who had gathered to be with her and those from around the world who prayed for her.Marietta was born on September 10, 1918 in Lafayette, Indiana. She was the 3rd child and oldest daughter of eight children born to Mr. John Bernard Wermes and his wife Elizabeth Knox Wermes. The Wermes family returned to Logansport, Indiana in 1919 where Marietta spent her formative years and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in 1934 and Logansport High School in 1936. Marietta was introduced to U.S. Army Private Riley St. Elmo Shirley in 1939 when she attended a boxing match at Ft. Benjamin Harrison Army Post with a mutual friend from Logansport. That night she watched the eventual love of her life win the Battalion Golden Gloves trophy that she later sat on and broke during their first date. Marietta and Riley were married on February 6, 1941 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Evansville, Indiana.Marietta and Riley returned to Logansport in 1942 where their first child Richard Allen was born. By December 1944 Marietta had a total of 3 children (Richard, Thomas Bernard and Riley Keith) who kept her busy at home while Riley served America in the U.S. Army supporting the successful global battle for freedom during World War II.Riley returned to the family in Logansport following the end of World War II and went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Following Riley’s return from the war, Marietta gave birth to a set of twins in 1947 (Anita Beth & Joseph Charles), and two other sons, John Michael in 1952 and Paul Scott in 1953.On May 6, 1954, Riley lost his leg in a tragic train accident in Plymouth, Indiana that nearly cost him his life. Marietta’s deep faith in God and stubborn Dutch attitude enabled her to survive the many challenges she faced as she nurtured her 7 children and recovering husband, taking a factory labor position at RBN Manufacturing in Logansport to help make ends meet. Her ability to balance the many and diverse demands of life further strengthened her modest, tolerant, independent and self-reliant attitude as she led the family into the new phase of their lives in rural Fulton County, Indiana.Once Riley was physically able to return to work, they purchased a 250-acre farm in Rochester Township, Fulton County, Indiana with his railroad settlement. Marietta’s 8th and final child Diane Kristine was born in 1956 at Rochester’s Woodlawn Hospital. In 1957 they relocated to a larger 350-acre farm in Aubbeenaubbee Township in Fulton County. They remained on the farm until their inability to meet county and state tax demands forced them to leave. They moved to Rochester, Fulton County Seat, in 1961.When financial times became tough in 1958, Marietta went to work as a sewer of clothing at Hart Schaffner Marx in Rochester. She left her sewing position about 1 year later to become the fifth employee to be hired by Mr. Joseph Jacob, the first plant manager at the newly established Torrington Manufacturing Company’s fan plant in Rochester. Mr. Jacob came to become a dear family friend and years later returned to Seminary to become Father Joe, Marietta’s Priest at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rochester. Marietta had a tremendously successful career at Torrington’s (eventually renamed Torin’s) where her demonstrated loyalty, trust, competency and passion for life was reflected in the relationships she developed with co-workers, the leadership roles she had within the union and floor management, and the high respect she earned from senior management until her retirement from Torin’s in 1985. Marietta always kept her relationship with God first, and in turn was able to reflect His love into the life of Riley, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even great-great grandchildren, focused on ensuring their basic needs were met. During the toughest of times when it was unknown where she would find the money or energy to keep going, she found a way to survive, and even more importantly to thrive, through her faith in God. She always put others first, living a life filled with 1 relationship F.A.C.T.: Forgiveness, Acceptance, Compassion and Trust in God. All her kids had a sense of belonging and pride in being “Real Shirley’s”, each with their own special gifts that reflected Marietta’s love. All the Shirley kids brought Marietta’s inner spirit & Riley’s intensity to bear as they grew and excelled in athletics. All 8 of her children were Rochester High School Zebras who attended and graduated from high school during the period from 1956 through 1974. The faith, character, humor and love of Marietta set in motion academic and life success for her children and the lives of those she and they have touched.Marietta served as full time caregiver for Riley after he was stricken with Alzheimer’s in the early 1990s. Marietta had a stroke in 2002 that led to both her and Riley being moved to live in Annandale, Virginia where they were graciously received, nurtured and loved by daughter Diane Cockrum, her supportive husband Carl and the entire Cockrum family. Marietta and Riley were also blessed to live near their son John who resided in Falls Church, Virginia. Riley passed away in January of 2002 from Alzheimer’s complications and Marietta continued to live in Annandale with the Cockrum’s until she eventually moved to her beloved Casita in Corrales, New Mexico. The Cockrum’s purchased the Casita prior to John Shirley’s brutal murder on November 3, 2005. Marietta’s move to Corrales enabled her to be nearer her sons Dick, Keith and Paul and their families who lived in New Mexico, and sons Tom and Joe and their families who all lived in Utah. The Cockrum’s fully relocated to New Mexico in 2006 where they continued to provide loving care for Marietta.Marietta was a faithful Catholic and lover of God since birth. She received her first Sacrament of Baptism at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Lafayette, Indiana on September 29, 1918. She received her first Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Logansport, Indiana. She achieved academic success and graduation with honors at St. Joseph’s Catholic School. She and Riley St. Elmo Shirley jointly received the Sacrament of Matrimony at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Evansville, Indiana on February 6, 1941. She further received God’s grace through the birth of her first 7 children who were born from 1942 through 1953 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital in Logansport, Indiana; 5 of them attended St. Bridgette’s Catholic School. She routinely received the Holy Sacraments as an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and St. Bridgette’s (both now are part of All Saints) in Logansport, Indiana from early childhood through 1956 when they moved to Fulton County. She joined St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rochester, Indiana and often attended St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Monterey, Indiana, where she routinely gave and received God’s love with all she met. After retirement from Torin’s, she continued to receive the Sacraments as she seldom missed a day of Mass for over 25 years at St. Joseph’s in Rochester, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Annandale, Virginia, and eventually San Ysidro Parish? in Corrales, New Mexico where she resided at death. She received the Sacrament of Last Rites (Final Anointing) from Father Michael DePalma of San Ysidro Parish on May 9th, 2013.God enabled Marietta to successfully raise her 6 sons and 2 daughters who each have created their own legacies through loving relationships. Her children include: son Dick and wife Ellie Shirley (Grants, NM); son Tom and Sheri Shirley (St. George, UT); son Keith and wife Ginger Shirley (USA Recreational Vehicle (RV) travelers); daughter Anita and husband Ron Gunzelman (Columbia, SC); son Joe (deceased) and wife Margo (Salt Lake City, UT); son John Shirley (deceased) (Falls Church, VA); son Paul and wife Wendy Shirley (Albuquerque, NM) and daughter Diane and her husband Carl Cockrum (Corrales, NM). Marietta had 17 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great- grandchildren at the time of her passing, and always had excited anticipation of new additions that God would provide in the years to come.Marietta looked forward to her reunion for eternity with so many loving souls who have gone before her to be with God, including: her husband Riley; her sons Joe and John; her father Ben Wermes; her mother Lizzie Knox Wermes; her nurturing grandmother, Margaret Wermes; her brothers and sisters (Leonard, Eugene, Harold, Helen, Genise, and Margaret); and too many loving relationships to list in one book. Joan Rusk is Marietta’s sole surviving sibling. Joan lives in Lafayette, Indiana with her loving husband Louis Rusk. Joan and Louie have 4 sons, 3 of whom are married: Gary & Pam Rusk; Kenny & Kathy Rusk; Mark & Mary Rusk; and Kevin Rusk. Marietta’s other younger sister Margaret Wermes Wakeland and her husband Harold Wakeland preceded Marietta in death. Harold and Margaret also raised their family in Rochester, Indiana and are survived by their 4 children: Elaine, Bruce, Neal & Dan.Services will occur on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at San Ysidro Parish, 5015 Corrales Road, ?Corrales, New Mexico, 87048. Public visitation will start at 9:00 AM Mountain Time (MT). The Holy Rosary will be prayed starting at 9:30 AM MT, followed by a Requiem Mass with Father Michael DePalma as Celebrant. A public reception will immediately follow the Mass at Hendron Hall at San Ysidro Parish.

Marietta Shirley

September 10, 1918 - May 11, 2013