Shirley Ann Matthews

On Sunday, April 19, 2020, Shirley Ann Matthews (nee Frank), loving wife, mother of four children, grandmother of 11 and great grandmother of two, passed away at the Sanctuary at Bellbrook in Rochester Hills, Michigan. She was 90 years old. Shirley was born on July 18, 1929 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and raised in Glo, Kentucky. In 1945, her family moved to East Detroit, Michigan where she met Dan Matthews who would become the love of her life and husband of 68 years. Long-time residents of Shelby Township, Michigan, Shirley and Dan raised their family there and Shirley was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She especially loved her role as “Grams.” Shirley and Dan loved to travel and were fortunate enough to visit a total of 30 countries across the globe. Shirley had a passion for music and was a proud member of the Sweet Adelines Chorus Great Lakes Chapter for 22 years. Sharing and promoting the love of four-part harmony through performances, shows and competitions, the Chorus took her on trips across the globe and one very memorable performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She was known for her kind and compassionate spirit, her love of God, a wicked-good apple pie and her life-long search for the perfect hairdo. Shirley is preceded in death by her parents Mabel and Peter Frank and her brother Paul. She will be dearly missed by her husband Dan Kurt Matthews and her four children: Julie (Leon Martin), Stephen (Carol Caballaro), Michael (Tamara Welty), and Dan (Carol VanDyke); her grandchildren: Leo, Ross (Nina Stanziale), Alexandria, Jacob, Danny, Paris, Paige, Sydney, Alexander, Joshua and Nicholas, and great grandsons Sawyer and Pierce. She is also survived by her sisters Marlene Lowes, Christine Poole, Veronica Thomas, and her brother Peter Frank (Marilyn Kaselitz) and many nieces and nephews. All of whom she loved and touched deeply. Due to the current Corona crisis restrictions, a service is not planned at this time. When it’s determined we can all gather together again, a 'Celebration of Life' will be held. Donations can be made to Hospice of Michigan hom.org or the Alzheimer’s Association act.alz.org.

Shirley Ann Matthews

July 18, 1929 - April 19, 2020