MARES, Shirley Anne

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 05/13/2014 With deepest sorrow, Shirley Anne Chrisman Mares, 87, died Friday, May 2, 2014, in Albuquerque, N.M. Shirley was married to John Clemens Mares for 62 years. They were sweethearts and treasures to one another. “She was a treasure to us all.” From humble depression-era beginnings in Oregon and Texas, Shirley rose to have an illustrious education, was the Oregon state champion in debate, received her B.A. in English literature and journalism from Marylhurst College, where she was the student body president, valedictorian and member of Delta Theta. She received her master’s degree in education from Northern Arizona University. Shirley had a brilliant teaching career as a reading specialist and diagnostician. She believed reading was the key to success in life and she taught many children to read who had previously been passed over. She was indefatigable in the battles against illiteracy and poverty. Shirley and John made a great team of family leaders and caregivers. Shirley was a loving wife, mother of four, grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of seven. She was a member of Annunciation Church in Albuquerque and was active in the social life of the communities in which she lived. A rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, in the Chapel of Direct Funeral Services. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, at Annunciation Church, 2532 Vermont St. NE in Albuquerque, N.M. Burial will follow at 2:15 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, N.M. Memorial contributions may be made to help fund the education of female scholars who have difficulties paying for their education. Please send your donation to: Marylhurst University, P.O. Box 261, Marylhurst, OR 97036. Spittenger@marylhurst.edu. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services, 2919 Fourth St. NW, Albuquerque, N.M. 87107.