Shirley May McFadden

In the early hours of March 1, 2024, Shirley May McFadden of Sequim, WA passed away at the age of 82 at the Park Rose Care Center in Tacoma, WA.

Shirley was born May 12, 1941, to Herman John Stroetker and Elda Marie Birkmann on May 12, 1941, in Washington, Missouri. 

Shirley earned her bachelor’s degree from Elmhurst University in Elmhurst, Illinois in elementary education; she was also the valedictorian of her 1959 high school class in Washington, Missouri.

Shirley moved to the Olympic Peninsula in 1996 to enjoy her years of retirement from her grade school teaching position at Vallejo California School District. Shirley taught third and fourth grade classes during her entire teaching career.

In January of 1965 Shirley married John McFadden, together they had one daughter, Kathryn Lynn McFadden (Independence, MO). Shirley and John divorced in 1973, it was that year that Shirley met her partner, Peter Grassi.

Shirley enjoyed traveling with Peter and reading a good book. Shirley was an avid animal lover and spent countless hours volunteering and contributing to the local animal rescue, Peninsula Friends of Animals.

Shirley is survived by her daughter Kathryn McFadden (Independence, MO), her partner Peter Grassi (Sequim, WA), her sister LaVerne Stroetker (San Leandro, CA), John Stroetker (Clark, MO) and Joseph Stroetker (Sullivan, MO). She is preceded in death by both of her parents, Elda Stroetker (July 1994) and Herman Stroetker (January 1998).

There will be a celebration of life to be announced later in Missouri. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Peninsula Friends of Animals in Shirley's name.

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