Shirley Mae Standish, age 74 of Troy, IL, born November 15, 1949, in St. Louis, MO, unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at her home after a brief illness.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Barbara (Bax) Allen.
Surviving is her husband, Tom Standish, the love of her life, whom she married in 1992; two sons: Kevin Spooner, Brian Standish; two daughters: Andrea (Ryan) Sullivan and Kerry (Reed) Paladino; four grandkids: Quinn and Erin Standish, Brady and Lilly Niemi; two sisters: Mary Jane (Warren) Stultz and Judy (Robert) Duncan; her in-laws, Michael and Mary Standish, Brian Standish, Myles and Emily Standish; ex-spouse and lifelong friend Kevin Spooner Sr.; and her beloved golden retriever, Sasha.
Shirley was friendly, funny, easy-going, beautiful, loving, thoughtful, kind, and smart. On the advice of her McCluer High School typing teacher, she gained employment as a clerk steno at the Army Aviation Systems Command in St. Louis. A determined professional, she excelled in her work, moving from the administrative to the professional field, and ending up as Program Integrator for the Army’s Longbow Apache Advanced Attack Helicopter. She played key roles in getting the program approved and executed. Among Shirley’s many professional achievements, her most meaningful was her induction into the Honorable Order of St. Michael by the Army Aviation Association of America, an award almost never given to a female civilian. One of her experiences in this job was getting a chance to ride in the co-pilot seat in the Longbow at an airshow in Australia, a rare honor for a civilian and against regulations. When the pilot took off for the ride of Shirley’s life, her bosses gave the pilot a signal, and the pilot went into a somersault maneuver, something no other helicopter on Earth could do. Also, wildly against regulations. This showed the respect and affection she had earned from her bosses and co-workers.
After 37 years working in Army Aviation, Shirley retired to an active life. Her adventures with Tom continued including, hiking the Grand Canyon in Arizona, hiking the Kalalau Trail in Kauai, and sitting in the back of an ultra-light aircraft while flying into Waimea Canyon, going on a 200-mile bike ride on the Katy Trail, and many other adventures. And she also always looked forward to her summer trips to Door County, Wisconsin with family.
Shirley enjoyed gardening, creating stain glass pieces, going to the Fox and lunching with dear friends, but her greatest passion was taking care of her family. She was also a voracious reader of mystery novels (she liked serial killer mysteries the best). She loved taking Sasha on three walks daily, biking with Tom, working out, and talking on the phone with her sisters, kids and grandkids. She also loved her yearly trip to Branson with her sisters for some hilarious fun and shopping for deals. In addition, Shirley loved playing a fiercely competitive scrabble game daily with Tom. In later years, she became a passionate follower of national politics and looked forward to voting this year.
Shirley was the center of her family and hosted every holiday gathering. She made it look easy. We all love her and will miss her so much. She was a generous spirit with a beautiful heart and soul.
Her wishes were to be cremated and no services are currently planned. Memorial donations may be sent in her honor directly to The Humane Society of St. Louis or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, or through Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center St., Maryville, IL 62062.
