CARTWRIGHT, Shirley L.

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ November 6, 2009 Shirley L. Cartwright died Nov. 1, 2009, in Gilbert. She was born in Edwardsville, Ill., Dec. 12, 1924, the only child of John and Edna Binder. She attended Garfield Grammar School, Phoenix Union High School and Arizona State University. Shirley married her childhood sweetheart, Charles Cartwright, June 3, 1944, while he was home on leave from the Navy during World War II. While Charles was in the Navy, she worked for USDA and spent many wonderful hours with her lifelong best friend, Edna Rudd, whose husband was also in the service. In her last days, hearing the sweet songs of her grandsons Luke and Jake made her cheer "Hoorah." Shirley worked for many years for the Cartwright School District in the Library Department as well as a school secretary in various other elementary schools. After retiring to Lakeside in the early 1980s, she held several positions in women's groups at the Show Low United Methodist Church, Navajo County Extension Mountain Topper's, "Helping Hand" Thrift Store and the Action on Cancer Hospitality Manor Organization. While in the White Mountains, Shirley learned to quilt with new friends and spent many happy hours with them. She and her husband Charles were very fond of the Jerry Brownlows, Gary Gruebes and Chuck Robertsons. All through her life, Shirley made many, many friends by being a good friend and kept in touch with them all. Shirley truly loved her husband, family and friends. "We will all miss her and always see her in Emma Leigh's blue eyes." She is survived by her three children, Linda Shank Thanig, Charles Allen Cartwright II and Donna J. Welch; three grandchildren, Ritch Allen Shank, Leigh Ann Mauger and Satchell Ruppert; six great-grandchildren, Luke Allen Shank, James Patrick Mauger, Jake Edward Shank, Emma Leigh Mauger, Chelsey Ruppert and Sierra Ruppert, who brought Shirley much happiness. She was preceded in death by Charles Allen Cartwright (September 2006). Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Green Memory Lawn Cemetery, 2300 W. Van Buren, in Phoenix with a luncheon at noon at the Old Spaghetti Factory, 1418 N. Central Ave., in Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the AJUSD Project Help, 195 E. Superstition Blvd., Apache Junction, AZ 85119. Greenwood Memory Lawn handled arrangements. Greenwood can be reached at (602) 254-8491.