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Obituary : Shirley Fitzsimmons |
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 FITZSIMMONS, SHIRLEY MAY ABBOTT May 4, 1920 to August 14, 2009 SANTA
BARBARA - Shirley Abbott was born May 4, 1920, in Gloversville, New York, to
Edwin W. and Alice (Lewis) Abbott and had an older brother, James, and a younger
brother, George. Shirley came from a musical family and although she did not
play an instrument, she enjoyed music throughout her life. In school, she
participated in choir and theater, wrote for the school newspaper and was
president of the honor society. During World War II, while Shirley's brothers
served in the military, she supported her widowed mother and sewed gloves for
the Air Force. In 1948, Shirley married Robert E. (Bob) Fitzsimmons and two
daughters were born. She liked to work in the yard, and can vegetables from the
garden, but her primary focus was her daughters. In 1957, Bob and Shirley, their
daughters and Shirley's mother relocated to El Cajon, California, where Bob
owned several parts stores. Feeling music was important in everyone's life, she
made certain that her daughters took music lessons, and she always had music
playing at home. Excursions to musical events were a family affair. Shirley
especially loved musicals such as Camelot and My Fair Lady, and she had all the
albums from the popular musicals of the day and knew the words by heart. She
also enjoyed the Shakespeare productions at Balboa Park. Bird watching was also
a hobby and she loved animals. There was always a dog in her home. Sewing was
something Shirl taught her daughters and together they made many of their school
clothes. Shirley was always involved in her daughters' school and never missed
anything in which her girls were involved. When two grand-daughters were born,
Shirley could not have been happier, and she was a big part of their lives.
Shirley and Bob traveled across the U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, and Italy. In
2000, Bob and Shirley relocated to Santa Barbara to live with their daughter and
son-in-law where Shirl continued bird watching, reading and gardening. Shirl,
Mom, Grandma will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her family. She
will always be remembered for her love of See's Candies and desserts, and her
great love for her family. Shirley is survived by two daughters, Cheryl Jensen
and husband, Gary of Santa Barbara, CA and Jill Wylie and husband Robert of
Tehachapi, CA; two granddaughters, Jessica Laine and Cameo Martin,
great-grandson, Aiden Kosling, and several nieces and nephews. She was
predeceased by her husband Bob and her two brothers. Services and interment will
be at the gravesite at El Cajon Cemetery, 2080 Dehesa Road, El Cajon,
California, on Friday, August 28th, at 3:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. In
lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Santa Barbara
Humane Society, 5399 Overpass Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93111.
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