By the grace of God, His angels carried Shirley home on Mother's Day, May 8, 2016, to be with her mother, her only child, a daughter; and Mary, Mother of Jesus, the Risen Christ. Shirley was born on September 16, 1938, in Sacramento, CA. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Vera Sanchez; her daughter, Lisa O'Neal; her sister, Dorothy Rogers (Bill, deceased). She is survived by her sister, Dolly Kierbow Bakes (John; Donald Kierbow, deceased); her brother Jimmy and his children, Christina (Dave) Kellner, Jill Sanchez, Jennifer (Terry) Blackburn, Julie Davis; nieces Cynthia Rogers, Mimi Rogers (Derek) Dowd; son-in-law, Sean O'Neal, and her only beloved grandchild, Katie O'Neal (who affectionately called her "Ammie" Shirley). Also, survived by nephews and nieces: Jaystid and Jillian Davis; Jackson, Makenna, and Connor Blackburn; Tyler James Kellner; Nibby and Will Dowd; and many cousins and friends. Shirley held numerous and varied positions, after graduating from St. Joseph's Academy in 1956. She started her young career at La Fiesta Mexicatessen, serving the public; then Yellow Cab Company, as a dispatcher; and finally, retiring from the State of California. While her daughter was in college, Shirley worked 3 separate jobs, simultaneously, to help pay the tuition. She was the consummate loving mother, grandmother, and "caregiver". As an adolescent, she helped our mother by caring for our young brother, Jimmy. Ironically, she lived her final 5 years with jimmy as her "caregiver". After retirement, she watched over Jaystid, Jillian, and Katie, thereby, helping out their young, working mothers. During this time, she also became our mother's "caregiver". Shirley was enthusiastically devoted to her faith in God, family, friends, daily recitation of the Rosary, cooking, volunteering, taking care of nieces and nephews, and the S.F. Giants. We honor her loyalty, courage, determination, strength, tenacity, and immeasurable love of family. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all of her family and friends. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, St. Joseph's Chapel, 6700 21st Avenue, Sacramento, on May 28, 2016, at 12 Noon. Donations in Shirley's memory can be made to a charity of your choice . Arrangements by W.F. Gormley & Sons.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley Jean Williams, please visit our flower store.