Shirley Froehle

As family and friends can surely attest, Shirley Froehle truly understood the secret to a well-lived life. She was a constant source of strength and encouragement for those around her, and she welcomed anyone and everyone with open arms. Nothing brought Shirley greater joy than spending time with her loved ones, no matter how simple the moment. She was a shining example of kindness and generosity to all. Deeply missed, Shirley will be forever loved and remembered by those who knew her best.

The early 1930s are remembered as a time of great turmoil and struggle for the United States. The Great Depression was in full swing, and many families across the country pulled together to make ends meet and thrive in their time of need. During these dark years, however, there was a ray of light for Walter and Emily Stanford as they eagerly awaited the arrival of their second child. On November 26, 1932, they welcomed their daughter, who they named Shirley Rae, into the world.

Throughout her childhood, Shirley was a typical young girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised in Covington, Kentucky, alongside her older brother, Leland (Lee), and the two were very close. Lee was protective of Shirley and often referred to her as his “Rae Rae.” Shirley’s father, Walter, worked at Cincinnati Bell while her mother, Emily, was a bookkeeper. Many of Shirley’s early years were spent with her aunt, Esther, and cousin, Ronnie. She enjoyed a childhood full of love and countless memories.

Growing up, Shirley attended local schools, including Holmes High School in Covington. She graduated in 1950, then immediately went on to attend Miami of Ohio. However, Shirley’s time there was short-lived as socializing took precedence over her studies. She returned to Cincinnati and enrolled in nursing school, where she found her true calling. Shirley graduated with honors from the Jewish Hospital School of Nursing in 1955 and began her nursing career. She would later pursue further education and graduate with her Bachelor of Science from St. Joseph College in 1991, allowing her to better serve her patients.

New and exciting changes were on the horizon for Shirley as she met the man who would soon become the love of her life. His name was Bernard (Ben) Froehle, and the two were first introduced through Ben’s sister, Dorothy Jean (Dottie), who worked with Shirley. Ben was in the United States Navy at the time, and Dottie encouraged Shirley to correspond with him. There was an instant connection between them, and their relationship quickly began to blossom. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Shirley and Ben were married on June 29, 1957, at St. George Church in Clifton.

Of all the things Shirley loved in life, she treasured her family above all else. She and Ben were overjoyed to welcome their seven beloved children, Patty, Rodney (Rod), Colleen, David, Suzanne, Jenny, and Scott, into their hearts and home. Shirley truly thrived in her role as a mother, and her children were her pride and joy. The Froehle family enjoyed tent camping and staying in cabins at the Hueston Woods. They would also visit Coney Island and Florida to spend time with family, and the condo at Lake Cumberland was the backdrop of countless family memories. Later in life, Shirley was thrilled to become a grandmother and even a great-grandmother as well. She adored her grandchildren and doted on them whenever she could. Shirley enjoyed celebrating their birthdays and attending events, and she knew just how to make each grandchild feel special and loved. She always considered herself blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

Shirley was never afraid to work hard when it came to providing for herself and those who depended on her. Over the years, her nursing career took her through various fields and specialties, including home health, pediatric cardiology, mental health, geriatrics, hospice nursing, and more. Nursing was much more than a job to Shirley, and she was dedicated to helping others. She was hardworking, but she also loved to have fun and bring joy to her patients. Shirley was one of the founding nurses of the Red Ribbon Team, which provided care for those with AIDS. Even after she retired, she continued to serve her community by helping out at a friend’s daycare, holding the babies and filling needs wherever she saw them.

Never one to sit still for long, Shirley pursued many hobbies and activities to stay busy in her free time. She enjoyed monthly group outings and hanging out with her lifelong friends. Shirley loved to dance at weddings, and she liked swimming and spending time at the pool. She enjoyed playing cards, doing crossword puzzles, and listening to music. Shirley was an avid reader and frequently read multiple books at the same time. She was an active member of several clubs while living at Hammond North. She volunteered for a variety of committees for the Catholic church. Shirley loved to write poetry. One of her favorite books was The Prophet. Over the years, Shirley enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. She enjoyed living each day to the fullest and taking nothing for granted.

When reflecting on the rich life of Shirley Froehle, it is easy to see both her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. She was well known for her solid work ethic and her compassionate heart, and she faced challenges head-on with a spirit of fierce determination. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Shirley was a friend to many and beloved by all. Her primary focus in life was building deep and personal relationships with those around her. Though she will be dearly missed, Shirley leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

Shirley, beloved wife of the late Bernard R. Froehle. Loving mother of Patty (Rich) Branson, Rod Froehle, Colleen Froehle, David (Jennifer) Froehle, Suzanne (Mike) Stacey, Jenny (Joe) Buysse, Scott (Tammy) Froehle. Grandmother to Rich (Amy), Carolynn (Roman), Christopher (Andrea), Brian (Christie), Lauren (Mark), Matthew, Kimberly, Christine, Adam, Cody, Devon, Taylor, Emily-Jo, Samantha, and Conner. Great grandmother to Lily, Michael, Roman, Kaydence, Elizabeth, Kent, George, Nathan, Malcolm, Teddy, Archer, plus one on the way. Sister of late Leland (Virginia) Stanford and cousin to Ronald (Teresa) Humphrey. Sister-in-law to Jim Froehle, Sally Froehle, Mary Hummeldorf, & Pat Froehle. Aunt to many nieces and nephews and special godchildren. Many, many lifelong friends, too many to list. A resident of Hammond North since 1996, Shirley passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at age 91. Memorial visitation at Hodapp Funeral Home, 6041 Hamilton Ave., College Hill, Friday, June 7, from 5-7 P.M. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at St. Clare Church, 1443 Cedar Ave., College Hill, Saturday, June 8 at 10 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or your local Animal Shelter.