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 the 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 on 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 isceded 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 the 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. Casual 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: rodthorburn@gmail.com. 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 the community. Shirley’s passion was horses; she would clean stalls for the opportunity to train and ride bareback. Shirley was known as thetty 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!
