Shirley May Canterbury

Shirley May Canterbury April 5, 1936 ~ December 14, 2014 Shirley May Canterbury passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2014, at Central Washington Hospital. She was born Shirley Stegeman on April 5, 1936, to John Stegeman and Agnes Henreka (Parkins) Stegeman in Leavenworth, WA. She was the middle child of nine children. Shirley lived her youth at the end of Eagle Creek on a dairy ranch. After graduating from Leavenworth High School in 1955, Shirley moved to Wenatchee, where she worked as a candy striper for St. Anthony's Hospital. She met her soul mate, the late George H. Canterbury Jr., and married him November 10, 1956, at the old St. Joseph Catholic Church in Leavenworth. It was a great joy to Shirley to be able to celebrate over 50 years of marriage to George before he passed away in 2008. George and Shirley started their married life in the Wenatchee area, moved to San Pablo, CA from 1963 to 1966, but then moved back to Wenatchee. In 1968, they moved to East Wenatchee and made it their home until their passing. Shirley was a charter member of Holy Apostles Catholic Church since 1962. She was also a member of St. Anne Guild and Catholic Daughter Court #255. Shirley was involved in many groups and activities over the years. She was a member of the Wenatchee Valley Senior Center, lifetime member of the VFW of East Wenatchee, Past District Lioness President, Past Zone Chairman of Lions Club, Past President of Kenroy Elementary PTA, a Girl Scout Leader, and a Boy Scout Leader. Her greatest joy in serving others came after George passed away and she became involved with the Wenatchee Valley Senior Center. She discovered the pleasure that others received from listening to her play the piano. She began playing at the Senior Center daily. She also volunteered as a piano player at HearthStone, Columbia Heights, Avalon, and Central Washington Hospital. For those who had the pleasure of knowing Shirley, they will always remember her for her laughter, singing, piano playing, and her baking, especially her peanut brittle and hot cross buns. She is survived by her four children, Susie Keyser (Dale) of Republic, WA, Verl Canterbury (Marilyn) of Renton, WA, Gladys Filla (Jim) of Yakima, WA, and Rose Shook (Jeff) of Cashmere, WA. She is also survived by her three sisters, Pat Stoudt of Leavenworth, WA, June Racus (Robert) of Sun City West, AZ, and Nellie Beaily of Wenatchee, WA; four brothers, Jack Stegeman (Betty) of Port Angeles, WA, Bill Stegeman of Wenatchee, WA, Dave Stegeman (Sandy) of East Wenatchee, WA, and Bert Stegeman (Donna) of Leavenworth, WA; as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, George H. Canterbury Jr.; her parents, John and Reka Stegeman; and her brother, Robert Stegeman. A Memorial Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 20, 2014, at Holy Apostles Catholic Church in East Wenatchee, with a reception to follow. Memorial donations may be made to the Wenatchee Valley Senior Center in Shirley's name. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA.

Shirley May Canterbury

April 5, 1936 - December 14, 2014