Shirley Jean Barrett

Shirley Jean Barrett May 26, 1960 – July 26, 2024 Shirley Jean (Gander) Barrett, affectionately known as Momma Bear, passed away peacefully, with family at her side, on July 26, 2024 in Tualatin, Oregon, after a courageous 12-year battle with ovarian cancer. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Shirley attended The Madeleine School, St. Mary of the Valley, and graduated from Grant High School in 1978. She also attended Oregon State University for a short time before going to work in customer service in 1979 for Pacific Northwest Bell, then later as USWest. Shirley is survived by her parents, Joseph and Geraldine Gander of Newberg, Oregon; sisters, Mary Lou Houghteling and Janette Allen; husband, Robert Barrett; daughters, Colleen Richmond (Jake), Christine Spaine, Michelle Armstrong (Brett) and step-grandson Noah Richmond. Her sister, Ann Gander, preceded her in death. Shirley and Bob’s journey together began October 1987 meeting at a USWest company charity auction. Bob proposed to Shirley the following January and they were wed in July 1988. She retired from USWest in 1994 to stay home and raise their three daughters. Over the past 20 years, she dedicated herself to the Canby School District in various support and secretarial roles. She poured her heart into her work, touching the lives of countless students, parents, and colleagues with her kindness, dedication, silly humor and unwavering support. Shirley's interests were reading, enjoying the Oregon coast, sewing, quilting and creating delicious baked goods in the kitchen. She was a master with a spatula. Her greatest joy was spending time, on the phone or in person, with her beautiful daughters. Throughout her battle with cancer, Shirley maintained remarkable grace, uplifting those around her with her unwavering positivity. She faced her illness with a hope that her rare and complicated case might help advance medical knowledge and inspire others walking through difficult times. Her strength was as much a gift to others as it was to herself. Shirley was the heart and soul of her family, a guiding light whose warmth shone through in every hug, word, and gesture. Her ability to listen with genuine interest, offer advice with kindness, and celebrate life’s moments with joy made her an irreplaceable presence. Family, friends, and former colleagues will fondly remember her humor, her laugh/cry as her face scrunched up laughing so hard tears of joy would stream down her cheeks. Shirley was an absolute joy to everyone around her. Her love, both bold or tender, was always given freely and without reservation. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff at Oregon Health & Science University, Good Samaritan and Meridian Park Hospitals for their exceptional care. Funeral services and Celebration of Life have been held. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to American Red Cross or Ovarian Cancer Alliance of OR/SW WA.

Shirley Jean Barrett

May 26, 1960 - July 26, 2024