Shirley Clancy

With a heart that beat to love others, Shirley Clancy exemplified what it means to live selflessly as she did that very thing in her every thought, word, and deed. She never concerned herself with building great wealth or the accumulation of possessions as she was a firm believer in the notion that it is through loving others that we are richly blessed. Shirley was a devoted wife and mother to be sure, but she really came into her own as a grandmother, making sure her grandchildren were well versed in doing things "the loving/fun Nana way". Life will certainly never be the same without Shirley here, but her memory will remain a lasting treasure for generations to come.

Despite the great hardships of the early 1930’s, a young couple from Kalamazoo, Michigan, was able to shift their focus to a joyous time in their own lives with the birth of their healthy baby girl on January 13, 1933. Baby Shirley was the youngest of four children born to her parents, Emmanuel and Hazel (Wood) Dontje, and was raised in the family home on West Lake in the Portage area alongside her siblings, Elton Charles, Gilbert, and Alice. She loved living on the lake and everything that the water brings. The water was something that Shirley loved throughout her life.

As a young girl Shirley experienced a childhood that was fairly typical for the youth of her generation. She was very active in the West Lake Saddle Club with her special horse named Antonia with whom she won many awards. Shirley was also a student at local schools.

New and exciting changes were in store for Shirley when she met the man with whom she would share a lifetime of love. His name was William Clancy, and they met during their ninth grade year. They soon discovered that they had birthdays that were only two days apart, but there were many more things that made them a perfect match. Their first date was memorable to say the least as the headlight of his car fell out! This continued to be something they laughed about together for years to come.

With a desire to build a life together, Shirley and William were married on April 30, 1955, in a ceremony at St. Joseph Church in Kalamazoo. It was just a short time later that the young couple discovered they were expecting. Shirley and William were delighted to be blessed with five children including Kellie, Kathy, Michael, Karil, and Tracy beginning in 1956. From the moment she became a mother Shirley fully embraced her new role. Her patience was endless, and she never raised her voice with her children. As a result, Shirley’s children completely respected her and never wanted to disappoint her. She was diligent in planning some family bonding time on getaways to Beulah, Michigan, every summer. In everything her children did, Shirley was their biggest supporter and encourager.

The Clancy home was always a bustle of activity, and it was the place that naturally seemed to draw all the neighborhood kids near, too, as Shirley’s door was always open. It was not uncommon for there to be some extra kids at her dinner table, either. In fact, she was affectionately known as “Aunt Shirdy” throughout the neighborhood, and she was the go-to person to learn how to boat and ski. She was also an animal lover who was known to take in strays that were in need of a home.

In addition to caring for her family, there were other things that kept Shirley busy. For 23 years she worked in foodservice at The Upjohn Co., and she absolutely loved everything about her job including the people she worked with and for. Not surprisingly, Shirley took great pride in her work, and in recognition of her service she was given the W.E. Upjohn Award. She was also an active member of St. Catherine of Siena beginning in 1968 where she served as a Eucharistic minister and the founder of the Widow and Widower’s group. One of the highlights of Shirley’s life was the trip she took to Rome complete with a visit to the Vatican.

After retiring in 1990, Shirley took an active role in raising her eight grandchildren and her three great-grandchildren. She allowed plenty of space for them to do things the “Nana way,” which meant that everything had to have just the right amount of fun rolled in. Shirley listened to what these younger ones had to say, even if it meant playing in the mud, making a huge mess while painting, or chasing the ever-elusive bug. There wasn’t anything Shirley wouldn’t or couldn’t do as “no” was just not a word that was part of her vocabulary. No matter what was stacked against her, everyone knew not to count her out!

Life was not without times of trial for Shirley. She was deeply saddened with the death of her beloved husband in 2000, but she carried on with the help of her unwavering faith and unending love for her family. Shirley suffered a stroke this past summer, and although she was making great strides toward recovery a second stroke left her unable to make the recovery she so longed for. It was with her family by her side that she drew her last breath just a few days later.

Although she accomplished a great many things, there was nothing that made Shirley Clancy’s heart swell with pride more than the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren she loved more than life itself. Her home was open to all whether person or animal, and she was the sweetest, most selfless, and kindhearted woman who freely loved so many within her reach with an unconditional love that is to be admired. Shirley leaves behind lessons in perseverance, honesty, and in the gift it is to give generously without restraint while expecting nothing in return. She will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Shirley Clancy of Portage died on Monday, December 3, 2012 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Shirley’s family includes her 5 children: Kellie Clancy, Kathy Clancy (Bentley), Michael (Julie) Clancy, Karil Thompson, and Tracy (Mark) Kloosterman; 8 grandchildren: Darcie, Shawna, Walter, Katelyn, Michelle, Kevin, Kellie and Will; 3 great grandchildren: Nathaniel, Kennedy, and Jason. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, William in 2000; siblings, Elton Charles Dontje, Gilbert Dontje, and Alice Husted. A Rosary will be recited at 9:00 AM on Friday at St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church, 1150 West Centre Avenue, and the family will receive friends from 9:30-11:00 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM at the church. Please visit Shirley’s personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo, and sign her online guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Widow and Widowers group at St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church.