DOWNEY – With her family by her side, longtime Downey resident Shirley Cawley passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day, May 11, at age 86. Born Aug. 21, 1927 to Clarence and Glenn Monson, Shirley spent her younger years growing up in San Diego. As a senior at Hoover High School, she would attend the Saturday night dances held at the local San Diego Women’s Club. It’s there that she met her future husband, Richard “Dick” Cawley.

Following his college graduation in San Luis Obispo, Shirley and Dick married on July 22, 1950.They moved to Long Beach and had their first of five children, Susan. The three moved to Downey in 1953 where they continued to add to, and raise, their family. Shirley and Dick had four more children: Michael, Donald, Joanie and Katie.

While raising her family, Shirley was involved in numerous charitable organizations, including Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and the Church Women’s Guild. She was involved with Women’s Club of Downey and held several different positions on the board.

With others in the city, she helped to found the Downey chapter of the City of Hope. She produced and published their “Who’s Cooking What” cookbook.

Shirley volunteered numerous hours with the Kidney Foundation, and was on the founding committee to develop Furman Park. She was also active in Northwest Downey Little League.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Richard; her five children, Susan Stratton, Michael Cawley, Donald (Marilyn) Cawley, Joanie (Geoff) Brooks and Katie Cawley; grandchildren, Lindsay Stratton, Hayden Cawley, Wyatt Cawley, Joseph Brooks and Emily Brooks; along with many nieces and nephews.

Rosary service will be held at Miller-Mies Mortuary on Thursday, May 29, at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Friday, May 30, at 11 a.m.

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Published: May 22, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 06