Shirley May Dale Richards

Shirley May Dale Richards was born in Shelbyville, Illinois on March 13, 1932 and left this world on December 29, 2024. 

She was raised in Olney, Illinois where her father practiced optometry. In high school she dated William R. Richards and as soon as she graduated from college with a degree in education they married and moved to Maplewood, Missouri where Bill attended medical school and Shirley taught kindergarten. After Bill’s residency, they moved their family to Appleton, Wisconsin where Bill practiced orthopedic surgery for almost thirty-two years.

When Bill retired, they moved to Tucson, Arizona, where they enjoyed the drastic change from Wisconsin in weather, floral, fauna, and architecture. They made many visits in the summer to their cottage in Waupaca, Wisconsin, enjoying time with family and visiting old friends. When Bill became ill in 2018, they moved to a retirement home in Prairie Village, KS to be closer to family. After Bill’s passing, Shirley continued to pursue her many creative passions and enjoyed visits from family and friends, old and new. 

Shirley’s special interests were family, various art activities, gardening, traveling, decorating and writing. When her physical abilities were limited after a fall in 1994, she concentrated on collage art work in a style that was uniquely hers. Later in life, when large-scale art work became too cumbersome, Shirley honed her skills in jewelry-making, ultimately creating hundreds of beautiful beaded necklaces, also in her own trademark style.

She volunteered her artistic talents for many years working for the hospital auxiliary making floral arrangement for the hospital gift shop and making gifts for the annual bazaar. She also tutored, helping the people from Laos learn English and in Tucson helping grade school students with reading.

Shirley was passionate about life and cared deeply for all the people in her world. She was especially grateful for the love and laughter she enjoyed in her final year, surrounded by the wonderful caregivers at Claridge Court Skilled Nursing. Her quiet, humble inner strength and sharp sense of humor pushed her to thrive throughout all the seasons of her life and will leave an indelible mark on those she leaves behind.

She is survived by her four children: Nancy Asmussen of Madison, Wisconsin; Tom, and wife Dee of Plano, Texas; Janet, and husband Bob Heiner, who reside in Waupaca, Wisconsin; and Barbara, who lives with husband Steven Cross in Leawood, Kansas. Grandchildren surviving are Steven, Michael, and Alex Alston; Paul, Christopher, and Reed Richards; and Grace and Spencer Cross. She also leaves behind numerous step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, in 2018, son-in-law, Dan Asumssen, in 2024. 

A private celebration of her life will be held over the summer.

In lieu of flowers, share a little love in Shirley’s memory – listen to a friend, hug someone you love, or plant a colorful flower. Donations in her honor may also be made to the Lifespace Foundation - Claridge Court Team Member Scholarship Fund (contact: Todd.Simpson@lifespacecommunities.com).