Shirley Eleanor Christell, 99, of Forest Park, peacefully passed away September 13, 2022 at Central Baptist Village, Norridge, IL where she most recently lived. Her husband, Jack, passed away in 2015, after they’d been married 69 years. They cherished each other since the first day they met.
Shirley loved spending time with family and friends, whether in small gatherings or those that overflowed into their beautiful yard in Forest Park. She also enjoyed birding, gardening, sewing, knitting, crocheting, basket-weaving, and baking/cooking (she could throw a party in 15 minutes when any guest dropped by). Shirley and Jack enjoyed traveling—from camping, taking ship and riverboat cruises, and attending Elder Hostels, to visiting family and friends throughout the United States. They passed down their love of experiencing the world in different ways to their children. Wandering around Brookfield Zoo was one of the special pastimes Shirley and Jack enjoyed with their family over the years that inspired their children and grandchildren to continue.
Shirley’s deep spirituality supported her upbeat nature and strength her entire life. She cherished, as a foundation, her connection to church through her participation in many of their activities and groups that expanded to volunteer work with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in creating/leading the Daytimers group on adventures around Chicago and into Wisconsin as well as starting a knitting group creating prayer shawls for those in need. She and Jack also loved working at the Lutheran Center/E.L.C.A. Headquarters in Chicago, and Shirley’s love of reading and research led her to volunteer at the Forest Park Public Library as President of the Friends of the Library Board and develop successful fundraisers to build the collection.
An accomplished singer, Shirley sang in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church’s choir as well as the local singing group, The Trebelaires. She also loved, along with her family and church members, Christmastime evening caroling that warmed many hearts as they stood outside homes under falling snow. Shirley further expressed herself through music by playing piano, organ, and accordion.
Shirley is survived by Lance (Carol), Roy (Terry), and Valerie (Suzanne); four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 611 Randolph St., Oak Park, IL 60302.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Central Baptist Village (4747 N. Canfield Ave., Norridge, IL 60706), Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (611 Randolph St., Oak Park, IL 60302), or plant a tree in her honor through the National Forest Foundation’s initiative.
Tree Planting Campaign - National Forest Foundation (nationalforests.org)