Shirley Ann (Shaw) Thorburn, of Lincoln, joined the Lord on July
25, 2018. She was born on February 21, 1939 in Friend, NE to Doyt W. and Esther
(Larson) Shaw. Shirley was the third of four children. The Shaws were beloved and respected by everyone in the
small towns they lived, and provided to those who had less.
Shirley and Willard met in summer
of 1955, after Will returned from service in Tripoli Libya. “Will” was smitten with Shirley while
stationed at the Lincoln Airforce Base. Shirley followed Will back to his
family home in Melrose Ma, where they later married at First Methodist Church
November 29th 1958. After several years,
the couple moved back to Lincoln to raise their family, and be close to Shaw family
and relatives.
Shirley worked many years as a bank loan officer and later
retired from Goodyear Rubber.
Shirley was loyal to everyone, she loved and dedicated to the
lord. She made everyone, even animals, feel both special and loved.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Willard H. Thorburn, former
Air Force, of Lincoln, NE; her loving sons, Rodney H. Thorburn of Dallas TX,
Ryan H. Thorburn of Lincoln, NE, and loving daughter, Shirley (John) Stout;
Sister, Mary Ann Shaw; Grandchildren, Grant and Grayson Thorburn, Stephan, Alex
and Meaghan Stout, as well as many other family members and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; Brothers, Doyt L. Shaw
and Jim R. Shaw; and nephew, Mark R. Shaw.
Viewing from 12:00-1:15 pm at Metcalf Funeral Home 245 N 27th
St. Lincoln (27th & Q st.)
A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday
July 31st, at Yankee Hill Cemetery, located at SW
12th Street & W. Pioneers Blvd. Casual attire is welcome.
Following graveside service, please join us at Lee’s Chicken
1940 W. Van Dorn St. Lincoln, to celebrate Shirley’s love for life, servant
leadership and dedication to her family and many friends. Causal attire.
In lieu of flowers, condolences and memorials to the family c/o Metcalf
Funeral Home, 245 North 27th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68503
Please forward any photos you wish to share of Shirley and you
to: [email protected] cell: 817-538-8326
Doyt and Esther Shaw raised their
children with integrity,
teaching their children by example
a hard work ethic, love and care that spread among others in community.
Shirley’s passion was horses, would
clean stalls for the opportunity to train and ride bareback. Shirley was known
as the pretty tomboy working on and racing cars side by side with her brothers
Doyt and Jim, she even raced trains across the tracks from her parents home to
work. Shirley was her little sister Mary Ann’s protector.
Aunt Shirley, Momma Shirley, Mom.
made you and your friends feel “Special” and welcome to stay and play and eat
macaroni and cheese at the Thorburn’s.
You never left Shirley without “lots
of hugs and lots of kisses”. As Always
an “I Love You”. More times than you could count…
God Bless You Shirley Thorburn!