Shirley Bisbee

10/8/1938 — 5/12/2015

• Service Date: 5/15/2015
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Shirley Ann was born Oct. 8, 1938, at the family home in Sweetwater, and she attended Lapwai School. She was the oldest of 13 kids.

She married Norman Bisbee on Aug. 19, 1958, in downtown Lapwai. In the summer of 1963, the family moved near Denver, Colo. She and Norm moved back to the Sweetwater homestead to raise their children in 1964. Her happiest times were on Webb Road, chasing her kids and loving the country life. Shirley left high school early but managed to go on to graduate from Lewis-Clark State College with a bachelor's degree in sociology by going to school at night and in the summer while raising her family. Our family was proud of her school accomplishments. Shirley's career was centered on education. She served as a teacher's aide and a Native American counselor for the Lapwai School District, a home counselor for the North Idaho Children's Home and a counselor for substance abuse as well as a Temporary Assistance To Needy Families (TANF) job reliance specialist for social services at the Nez Perce Tribe.

Shirley's younger years were spent with many, many cousins at Sweetwater, including the Henrys, Ellenwoods, Jacksons, Williamses, Taylors and many other families that lived along Webb Creek. She once said, "Those were the best times." Whether it was huge holiday gatherings or square dances, fun was had by all.

When Shirley was 9 years old, she was a majorette and performed with the high school marching band, and she participated in several Lilac City Parades in Spokane. She was also an expert baton twirler.

Mom was the first lady of our family fireworks stand, "Crazy Charley's," for eight years. She kept all the kids in line and on the straight and narrow. Mom loved to fish, hunt and backpack to backcountry lakes (Gospel Hump Wilderness), and spent lots of boating time on the upper end of Dworshak Reservoir. She loved attending her kids' events, whether football for Lapwai Wildcats, Little League baseball or cheerleading. Later, she was also proud of her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's accomplishments.

In later years, our mom loved traveling to casinos, and her happy times were summers when her two sisters, Lydia and Sharon, would spend their vacations together. The three of them traveled to Arizona and North Carolina on vacations.

Shirley is survived by her children, Lonnie Bisbee Sr. (Yolanda), Terry Spencer (Shawn), Michael Bisbee Sr. (Mary) and Brett Bisbee, all of Lapwai. She has 17 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild on the way. Siblings include Lydia Kimmer in North Carolina, Sharon Patrick in Arizona, Ruth Moore in Seattle, Lori Henry in Florida, Debbie Sue Henry in Spokane, Russell Henry in Spokane, Lenny James Henry in Kamiah and Terry, Kim and Sandra. Shirley has several surviving cousins.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Jonas and Dorothy Henry; brother Norman Henry; sister Beverly DeRose; uncle Wildcat Henry; aunts Genevieve Jones and Amanda Taylor; uncle Pete Switzler; and great-grandchildren Michael Anthony Bisbee III and Tyone Christel Bear.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. today, with the funeral at 10 a.m. Friday, both at the Pi Nee Waus Community Center in Lapwai. The burial will follow at the Jonah Hayes Cemetery in Sweetwater. Dinner will be provided after the burial at the Pi Nee Waus Community Center.

Malcolm's Brower-Wann Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Until we meet again, we will forever love our momma, grandma, sister, friend, our precious Shirley Ann.

Service Information

Date & Time

Friday, May 15, 10:00 AM

Location

Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center
99 Agency Rd.
Lapwai, ID 83540

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Additional Details

A memorial service will be held, Thursday, at 6:30 p.m., at the Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center

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