Shirley Elaine Patrick Wilson, 92, of Rochester, Minn., and formerly of Preston, Minn., passed away peacefully of natural causes on Monday, December 21, 2020.
Shirley was born on October 9, 1928, in Worthington, Minn., to Ross Ivan Patrick and Gladys Wing Patrick. She lived in the Brewster and Worthington areas during her childhood and was loved by many family members including her grandparents, Charles and Hattie May Wing, and many aunts and uncles. She graduated from Worthington High School in 1946 and felt blessed for the opportunity to attend the Minnesota Bible College in Minneapolis following graduation. The highlight of her college experience was singing in the Shirley Sextet – with all six members sharing that first name. The singing group along with a college evangelist traveled to various churches throughout the U.S., sharing their faith and recruiting for the college.
Shirley married Stanford Wilson on September 16, 1949, at the Church of Christ in Worthington, Minn. She was the mother of eight children. In addition to raising the children and being a homemaker, she assisted her husband in his veterinary businesses as the family moved from in and around the Worthington area to Preston.
Beyond her family and the many friends she made throughout her life, the legacy that Shirley leaves behind is her great love for music, wonderful sense of humor, creative writing skills and strong faith. She insisted that her children take piano lessons, sing in school and church choirs and play a band instrument. Shirley directed multiple church choirs, wrote and directed award winning plays and talent shows for the Carimona Cruisers 4-H Club and treated family members and friends with original poems she wrote for special occasions. After raising her family and moving to Rochester, Shirley sang in the Zumbro Valley Sweet Adelines women’s barbershop chorus, was employed at the Youth Employment Project Inc., faithfully attended church, adult Sunday School class and water aerobics at the YMCA.
Shirley is survived by six children: Susan (Charlie) Olson, Waltham, Charles (Jill) Wilson, Rochester, Nancy (Kevin) Voigt, Preston, Kristin (Todd) Alexander, Mantorville, David (Andrea) Wilson, Rochester, and Thomas Wilson, Chanhassen; 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, brother Bill Bieber, and two sisters, Betty Quiring and Crystal Quiring. She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Stanford Wilson, daughter Sandra Wilson, a son, Timothy Wilson; and a grandson, Joshua Olson.
A celebration of life service will be held at Hope Summit Christian Church in Rochester on Sunday, December 27, 2020, at 2 p.m., officiated by Pastor Kevin Blanchard. Due to COVID restrictions, preregistration is required by going to www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0449a4ab2aa3f49-memorial
A private burial will be held at a later date in Worthington, Minn. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Hope Summit Christian Church at 1315 6th Ave SE, Rochester, Minn. 55904.
Lacey McNamara says
I am the granddaughter of Shirley Stewart McNamara, who passed away on November 16, 2020. She had finished her Christmas cards before she passed and had sent one to her friend, Shirley Wilson. The card was returned and we were wondering what had happened to the fellow Shirley Sextet member. We are very sad to hear of the passing of Mrs. Wilson, especially so close to the holidays. From our grieving family to yours, our hearts go out to you. I’m sure they are making music together once again. ~Lacey McNamara (Atascadero, CA)